The Aisher Hall was the venue for a splendid recital by Tau Wey, our musician in residence, on Saturday 1 March. A varied crowd of teachers, parents and students all enjoyed an assured performance that displayed great range and exquisite touch.

The programme featured Scriabin’s Piano Sonata No 3 and a Grainger transcription of a sequence from Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier and finished with Tau’s own transcription of Radiohead’s dystopian lullaby ‘No Surprises’. Though very different pieces, all shared a struggle between dark and light, melancholy and resolution. With playing of power and tenderness, Tau exemplified the Romantic tensions marvellously.

The brooding quality of the first movement of the Scriabin was in contrast to the zip of the second, before the descent into the slow, at times harrowing, third movement. With no pause, one entered the final movement which was thrilling and triumphant, though verging on the apocalyptic as it reached its sudden end. The Strauss was a generously lush piece, full of rich outpourings of emotion.

Bravely, Tau allowed the audience to hear the original Radiohead song in its entirety, before launching (the tuning immaculate) into his own exposition of the theme and variations. Starting sparsely, Tau captured the haunting, wistful melody of the original, before an introspective, delicate treatment of its subtexts. His rhythmic exploration of the central theme was at times reminiscent of Keith Jarrett, though it remained tempered and never strayed from the song’s melancholy. Being a Radiohead fan and having heard piano transcriptions from the likes of Christopher O’Riley and Brad Mehldau, I can say that Tau’s version more than holds its own.

As a stunningly witty encore, Tau played a version of Mozart’s 'Rondo Alla Turca', which was delightfully irreverent, inhabiting a sort of saloon bar space, at times even moving into the blues! This was a splendidly unexpected touch to a recital of great emotional depth that was greatly appreciated by the excellent turnout.

Navaneethan Kunaratnam