'Songs My Father Taught Me' a beautifully done concert

It has been said that the violin is the instrument most capable of simulating the glory of the human voice. In Friday's premiere concert of Piccolo Spoleto's Spotlight Series, violinist Lee-Chin Siow and pianist Enrique Graf made a compelling argument in support of that statement with their performance.

The concert, entitled "Songs My Father Taught Me," after Dvorak's work, featured selections from Siow's debut album of the same title, and set the tone for what promises to be a winning 2009 Piccolo Spoleto.

Siow and Graf began with Beethoven's Sonata in D Major. Their lyrical playing alternated between gentility and drama in one seamless transition after another.

Amy Beach's "Romance for Violin and Piano" followed, and it was here that Siow's elegant playing, particularly in the upper register, and Graf's artful and understated accompaniment, expanded the expressive possibilities beyond the Classical era.

The next selection was William Grant Still's "Suite for Violin and Piano," a three-movement work inspired by sculptors. The first movement, "African Dancer," was characterized by its rhythmic intensity, ending in a demonic and virtuoso thrill for the captivated audience.

The second movement, "Mother and Child," was calm and mesmerizing. The final movement, "Gamin," was a humorous and light-hearted end to the suite. The final selection was the beloved and virtuoso Henryk Wieniawski "Polonaise."

Siow's and Graf's deep understanding of the composition and unity with violin and piano was abundantly clear in this stunning end to the concert. Such confident, relaxed and expressive playing can only come from artists at the pinnacle of their craft.

After a standing ovation, Siow and Graf performed Li Guo-Quan's "Fisherman's Song at Sunset," from Siow's native Singapore. This program will not be repeated, but Siow's CD is available at www.leechin.com.

Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story gave an incorrect title for the concert. The Post and Courier regrets the error.