And we have another Bach Toccata to relish, this one in C minor, BWV 911. I am enjoying the variety of Bach we are hearing today. Navarro stated she enjoys Bach both because he is complex, but he also expresses the depth and breadth of human emotions and spirituality. She has a lovely touch and varies it well to reflect the changing emotions of the piece. This toccata closes with quite the fugue. She is well-suited to this music. Navarro's next piece is Chopin's Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1. For me, this piece is most certainly a flashback to 2007 competition as this is the nocturne I played in my program. Navarro described the work as having a "sense of great grief and tragedy." A very fitting description. Her transitions between sections are well done in both timing and tone. Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514 is next. These young artists have got fabulous programs...back to Mephisto! Liszt's Mephisto waltzes are known for their virtuosity and technical challenge. Navarro shared with us that Liszt based this piece on the mythic character of Faust, a soldier dissatisfied with life who makes a pact with the devil to exchange his soul for knowledge of all worldly pleasures. He proceeds to lead the villagers in the village where he resides into sin. Nice guy. Navarro once again is showing her skill in taking us through the varying sections of a work without loosing us along the way. She also has the necessary technique to present this piece convincingly.
Closing her program, Navarro is performing Earl Wild's arrangement of Gershwins's "I Got Rhythem" from Wild's Seven Virtuoso Etudes on Gershwin Songs. Great piece with which to end a program!
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