Tuesday night at a Camerata Pacifica concert in The Gold Room in Pasadena

My friend Judith invited me to a Camerata Pacifica concert in The Gold Room of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.  Adrian Spence, the Artistic Director, introduced the program, a solo recital of two of Beethoven's most important and difficult works for piano.  These works were written in Beethoven's later years, after he lost his hearing, and perhaps when he became even more obsessive-compulsive.

Adam Neiman

Adam Neiman, attacked and conquered these difficult pieces that required much pounding and finesse on the Steinway.  The first was the Beethoven 33 variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op.120....yes 33 variations!  I didn't count them but was amazed how Adam was pumping both his feet on pedals and was up and down the keyboard with his fingers seemingly without breaking a sweat.

After the intermission, Adam played Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major..."set a new standard for difficulty, duration and depth."  Yes, Adam did handle all of it very well.