Leon Bates Steinway Recital

On April 16, 2008 I saw Steinway Artist Leon Bates perform in concert to recognize Spelman College as an all Steinway School.  The purpose of this concert was to celebrate Spelman College as the only Historically Black Institution to be an all Steinway School.  President Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Provost Dr. Johnella Butler accepted the award on Spelman’s behalf.

The Concert began with Three Impromptus, Opus 90 Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828).  Each Impromptus had its own feeling that it bought to the performance.  The first No. 2 in E flat Major varies between lively and dark colors.  In Leon Bates performance he elongates the darker sections and accents the upbeat in the lively sections.  Next No. 3 in G flat Major he keeps a fluid tone of ideas.  A circle of 5ths progression can also be heard.  Lastly, No. 4 in A flat Major returns back to a lively feeling as in the first Impromptus.  The distinctions between major and minor are very clear because of the change in tone from lively to somewhat sad.  The melody was maintained in the soprano.

Leon Bates made an arrangement of four pieces in the concert.  Each of the three pieces had a jazzy feeling and swing to them.  It was a contrast from the other pieces within the concert.  He included seventh chords and had dramatic pauses and retards throughout the piece Chelsea Bridge.  In A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; he outlines the chord in his right hand while maintaining tonic and root on the left.  He achieved this be establishing a clear pedal tone.

Finally he performed Rhapsody in Blue.  It was great to hear him play because I recall hearing him perform that piece at the Brooklyn Academy of Music while in High School.  At that time Bates stressed the importance that the piece never comes across the same every time.  It varies depending upon mood.  It was wonderful to see him play on a different stage with a different feel.