Inon Barnatan chats about this week's Chopin concerts

Examiner.com interviews pianist Inon Barnatan, who joins the NJSO for Chopin's First Piano Concerto this weekend in Princeton, Newark and New Brunswick:

“Sentiment without sentimentality, very beautiful and touching.” That’s how concert pianist Inon Barnatan described Polish composer Frédéric Chopin’s output in a telephone interview Wednesday, Nov. 19. The Israeli, who resides in New York, will appear with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra next Friday evening, Nov. 28, in Princeton, playing Chopin’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 1’ under the baton of Stefan Sanderling. The program repeats in Newark’s Prudential Hall Saturday, Nov. 29, and in New Brunswick Sunday, Nov. 30 ... He spoke passionately about Chopin, his upcoming concerts with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and about a first for the New York Philharmonic.

Is Chopin a favorite composer for the pianist? “Definitely. I have many favorites, but very few pianists would not count Chopin among their favorites.” Concerning Chopin’s Concerto No. 1, “It’s a privilege to play it with great orchestras, like New Jersey. Not a lot of orchestras play Chopin, or want to. They think it is very easy, and then they play it and they find out that it’s not that easy.” Wherein lies the difficulty? “Chopin’s orchestration is so exposed, so transparent.” It’s very easy to tell when something goes slightly wrong.

How can first-time concert-goers get the most from the upcoming performance? “Great music just sort of grabs you. Chopin’s first piano concerto is so gorgeous and Romantic. It is elegant and passionate at the same time.” Newcomers won’t have any trouble being fully enraptured with this music.

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How does the pianist feel about performing in New Jersey? “It’s really one of the nicest things about living in New York. Getting to play with both ensembles—the New York Philharmonic and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra—each with an audience that is among the greatest in the country, is a thrill. Plus it’s also a nice change to be able to travel to the concert by car service and not by plane.” ...

The New York Times has aptly characterized Inon Barnatan as “suddenly ubiquitous.” The only problem with sudden ubiquity is the catch-me-if-you-can challenge. The worldwide performer with a seemingly untiring wanderlust will not return to the tri-State area until February. Better catch him next week while he’s in New Jersey.

Read the full interview.