Aleksandr Lapshin's Senior Recital

Aleks played his final Oberlin recital this week in our beloved Fairchild Chapel, presenting a unique and challenging program. It was unique in that it favored Classical and Romantic works more than usual—4 out of 6 pieces. And the difficulty level was very high. He started with a delightful opener, a Fantasia of da Milano, played with a capo and filling the Chapel in that incredibly satisfying way that only Renaissance music in an echoey room can. (Full program reproduced at the end of the post).

Aleksandr Lapshin performs in Fairchild Chapel

Following his opener, Aleks played Regondi’s Reverie. His phrasing was compelling and the tremolo crystal clear.

Giuliani’s Rossiniana Op 119 was next. This virtuoso masterwork was dispatched with ease. Each section and its attendant variations was played with suitable cantabile shaping and brilliant, clear embellishments.

Orekhov’s Troika Variations kept up the intensity further. The piece asks the performer to play passagework of remarkable speed and fluidity; Aleks was well up to the challenge.

Keeping up the wild ride, Lapshin next played Sor’s chestnut, the Grand Solo. Once again, it was presented easily and suavely.

The recital concluded with one of the iconic virtuoso pieces in the repertoire, Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Capriccio Diabolico. This was possibly the best performance of the evening. Aleks delivered the material with electrifying intensity and precision. The audience went crazy.

Aleksandr has accepted an offer to be an MM candidate and René Izquierdo’s teaching assistant at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, where he’ll begin next fall. We wish him every success. Considering what he accomplished while in Oberlin, we truly can’t wait to see what’s next! Bravo, Aleks, and congratulations!!!