An enchanting evening
By Ursula Boersch
After numerous successful performances in various European cities and in his home country, Japanese violinist Hirotaka Aisawa chose the beautiful Zabeltitz palace for his debut in Saxony. And the few but very receptive visitors on Whit Monday were rewarded with an extraordiary musical pleasure. With his introductory piece, Bach´s Partita No. 3 in E-Major, Mr. Aisawa proved not only exceptional technical virtuosity, but, from the very first note on, also impressed his audience with the amazing acoustic images he elicited from his Greiner-violin. Though this seemed almost impossible to top, Mr. Aisawa then performed Belgian composer Ysaye´s Sonata No. 2 with a fervent polyphony reminding of Paganini, again proving perfect technical mastery of the instrument. After Bach´s Partita No. 2 in D-Minor, which concluded the concert, the audience, deeply impressed, remained silent for a few seconds. The following, truly heartfelt applause seemed endless and was rewarded with an encore by the artist. This was an enchanting evening. Thank you, Hirotaka Aisawa.
Sächsische Zeitung of 23.05 2002
