Perahia in Boston

Murray Perahia’s recital at Symphony Hall was stunning. The Haydn Sonata in A-flat (HOB. XVI:43) was expressive but well within the Classical style. Then came the most original Brahms F minor sonata that I’ve ever heard. Dramatic, declamatory, bordering on the uncontrolled. Perahia let a few passages run away with him in the finale. After the intermission, there was a Chopin group with a rather mannered Mazurka, Op. 24, No. 2 and rushed Introduction and Rondo in E-flat, Op. 16. He ended with the Mephisto Waltz (first version) in which he threw caution to the wind and brought the house down. There was one encore: a rather disappointing Schubert Impromptu in E-flat. I think he was too exhausted to play more.