Review: Pianist Nina Kennedy in Concert in Mexico City

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by Pedro Antonio Muñoz Helguera


September 15, 2024 | Mexico City


[Translated from Spanish]

Today we are going to talk of the incredible concert that the American pianist Nina Kennedy gave in the Blas Galindo Auditorium at the National Center for the Arts here in Mexico City just yesterday, September 14. Her presentation was truly emotional, impeccable technique, and a selection of pieces that ranged from European Romanticism to American and Latin folklore. The recital was solo piano, which gave it an extremely intimate touch and allowed the audience to connect to the compositions. Kennedy played it all: there were pieces by Chopin, also Liszt, there was music from America as in John W. Work and R. Nathaniel Dett. There were also Latino composers such as Manuel de Falla and Ernesto Lecuona. To begin the concert with Ravel's Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, she transported us to a world full of delicacy, the complexity of the waltzes under the hands of Kennedy who showed perfect control of the dynamics and tones just as required by the impressionist style. Then Chopin arrived with his Mazurka Opus 17 Number 4. This number which combines Polish dance with a lot of emotion, was performed in a very special way by Kennedy, who managed to maintain a perfect balance between rhythm and expressiveness, making each note resonate with tremendous emotional force. Then we move on to Franz Liszt's adaptation of "Widmung," a Schumann song. This piece is very complicated, but Kennedy played it with an impressive technique without losing at any time the emotion of the work. The great cascades of notes and momentous emotion were executed to perfection.

With Appalachia by John W. Work, Kennedy connected us with the roots of African-American folklore. Her interpretation was extremely emotional, highlighting the cultural richness of that piece. After that Manuel de Falla gave us the energy of the “Ritual Fire Dance.” Here Kennedy roared with all his interpretive force highlighting intense dynamic rhythms that make the work extremely unique. Then it was Ernesto Lecuona's “Midnight Conga” that brought a more festive air to the concert with a vibrant and happy rhythm, Kennedy demonstrated versatility by interpreting Cuban music with the same mastery of the European classics.

To close the concert she played the "Juba Dance" by R. Nathaniel Dett, which is a work that combines African rhythms with classical tradition. Kennedy finished the concert with a performance full of life and joy, highlighting her incredible control over rhythmic changes. With this piece that is extremely energetic, extremely happy, you could see the intensity of her hands. An impressive thing!

Nina Kennedy's concert was an unforgettable experience not only because of the impeccable technique that I am boasting about but also because of the emotional connection she achieved with the public. The audience did not need to interact with her, but we had a total connection. We all became brothers while listening to it. Each piece was carefully performed with great attention to detail to the style of each piece from romanticism to African-American songs.

This concert by Nina Kennedy was an amazing thing, a non-stop transmission of emotions that was not expected, and an emotional connection also with the piano, with the music, and with the pieces that she performed. This woman's energy and the delicacy with which she managed to perfect the dynamics and tones is impressive. The concert was an unforgettable experience.

                                                                                   Pedro Helguera




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