If you’re looking for surprises in the all-too-frequently unsurprising world of classical music, you can’t do better than the Ibla Grand Prize. Dr. Salvatore Moltisanti, this marvelous competition and their annual New York international showcase presentations of musical talent at the highest level have kept us surprised and delighted for many years – 34 to be exact.

An accordion trio, a shamisen virtuoso, and even a whistler were among the performers.

This year’s concert opened with Japanese pianist Sara Obara, who got things off to a nice start with some attractive Tchaikovsky. Her playing needs more dynamic range, given the instruments capabilities, and perhaps a bit more articulation, but I did appreciate her performance.

Next up was Japanese guitarist Ryuto Kobayashi, who gave us some lovely, lyrical passages, but was at times bit unclear, especially at the beginning of the Albeniz selection. The performance was perhaps too episodic and would benefit from more of a through line for the interpretation.

Then, Japanese oboist Soki Tanabe presented music of Carl Nielsen. Nice to hear the Danish master – and Tanabe brought a nice sound, with clear, even tone across the instrument’s range. Lively, well-paced 2^nd movement.

This was followed by the terrific duo of Polish pianist Justyna Maslanka and accordionist Bartosz Kolsut. They began with a delicate and charming Anitra’s Dance (Grieg). Then in contrast, a powerfully presented Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 5, with lots of character and a sense of the dramatic. Terrific accompaniment and a great audience reaction.

Ms. Maslanka then presented a Chopin Etude, strong and well profiled – brief but lovely.

The shamisen is not always easy to listen to out of context, but the performance by soloist Masatomo Imafuji (Japan) seemed fine – propulsive and with some interesting effects and Japanese flourishes.

Up next was Italian pianist Luca Lione, offering a Chopin Barcarolle as a lovely, balanced dance, the performance of which would benefit from more dance rhythm. Nice as it is, it could be even nicer with more “swing.”

Then, the annual improvisational performance by American David Cieri. Some improv works, and has a cohesion, even if abstract. I’m sorry to say that this one did not, and just felt too diffuse.

The only vocal performance of the evening was next – Japanese baritone Taku Hasayaka singing Schubert. Strong voice, stable throughout the range, with good stage presence and nice interpretation. Good stage movement, fine articulation and projection.

Next last for the evening as Japanese harpist Seri Amano with a lovely, lovely performance of Grandjany – lush and colorful. Same for the De Falla. She’s a strongly profiled player with something to say, and the technique to say it forcefully.

Finally, from Poland, land of the enchanted accordions, came the ThreeK Trio – virtuoso’s Kacper Batycki, Kasper Kaczmarek and Krzysztof Polnik – joined for the opening number by American whistler Michael Barrimo, who provided a canary-fied accompaniment. Quite a sound and audience reaction, with lots of smiles from happy listeners.

The evening closed with the these three beautifully coordinated instrumentalists alone together, beginning with a lovely Grieg Holberg Suite arrangement, followed by a propulsive Vivaldi Summer from Four Seasons and ultimately by the three virtuosos focused on one composition master – Astor Piazzolla. – all presented with great intensity, which the audience LOVED!.

I wish the rest of the world were more aware of the exception high quality of Polish accordionists. I’ve seen a number of them, and consider them one of their country’s great musical exports.

As always, this was a strong showing of the talent that finds its way to Ragusa-Ibla for the Grand Prize each Summer.

…Meanwhile, around the world, performers were preparing for the Ibla Grand Prize 2025….

Jeffrey James

Editor, SoundWordSight.com

http://soundwordsight.com/

June 1, 2025