A review of the Paul Lyddon Recital

By Joe Fought

June 26, 1975

On June 26, the Wyoming Music Teachers Association presented a piano recital by Professor Paul Lyddon, of the University of Wyoming, in the Multi-Purpose Room of Lander Valley High School.

Mr. Lyddon opened his program with the Partita Number Four in D, S.828, by J.S. Bach. This writer admits to a prejudice concerning Bach's keyboard music; he prefers to hear it on the harpsichord. Mr. Lyddon promptly overcame this prejudice by his masterly playing. Following the large-scale Overture the cantibile melody of the Allemande really sang. The Aria and Sarabande were beautifully melodious and the Minuet sounded joyous. The final Gigue, a virtuoso piece in triple instead of double meter, played in a manner that would have caused envy on the part of some of the more highly publicized exponents of Bach.

The next work on the program was the Valses et Sentimentales by Maurice Ravel. Most concert goers are more familiar with Ravel's orchestral compositions and orchestrations. While admiring these works, this reviewer has a tremendous affection for the compositions for piano and a highly critical ear for their performance. I was not disappointed. In fact, I doubt if the late Robert Casadesus, possibly the finest modern interpreter of Ravel, could have surpassed Mr. Lyddon's obviously affectionate performance.

The second half of the program was devoted to works by Chopin, possibly the most pianistic of composers. Mr. Lyddon, in his introductory remarks, said that "everybody plays Chopin." I should like to add that, though everybody plays Chopin, it is given to only a few to perform Chopin, and Mr. Lyddon is among those few. His playing of the familiar Nocturne in D Flat, Op. 27, Number 2, and the relatively unfamiliar Barcarolle in F Sharp, Op. 60, was truly beautiful.

The scheduled program closed with the Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58. This work, which runs the gamut from beautiful melody through a wonderful scherzo to pianistic fireworks, is one of Chopin's most mature works. The playing left nothing to be desired, and the audience, made up predominantly of music teachers, gave Mr. Lyddon a standing ovation. He responded with a beautifully played encore; the Intermezzo in A, Op. 118, No. 2, by Brahms.

Altogether it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.