New darling of the harpsichord in France, Justin Taylor came to give his first recital in Montreal on the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach. The 30-year-old harpsichordist won over with his inventiveness and panache.
Nothing is predictable in an interpretation of Justin Taylor. It can be very classic, like the italian concertodisconcerting, like the Chromatic fantasyor completely disheveled, like the final allegros of Concertos for solo harpsichord BWV 972 And 978.
The important thing for this French musician of American origin, seems to be to surprise. He is thus passionate about the coating of pieces, this illumination created just before starting the main piece. As a result, he creates tailor-made such ornaments, as for the Toccata BWV 914playing a slow movement from a flautino concerto by Vivaldi that he has just adapted.
Demonstrative
Justin Taylor needs to constantly recreate. In the prelude to 1er keyboard book well-tempered, played as a first encore, it exudes some unevenness like little dizziness.
The second reminder, an extract from the variations on The Savagesfrom his album The Rameau familygives many keys: we hear the verve, the swing, all in a form of lightness that twirls.
This prank at Bach perhaps explains the slight uneasiness felt in the Chromatic fantasy or in these allegros of Concertos suffocating with speed. All of this is obviously very impressive, but here we can favor the clarity and the more natural unfolding of the music, as in the final fugue of the Toccata BWV 912beautiful in itself, but more demonstrative than relaxed.
Obviously there is plenty to be dazzled by Justin Taylor, the virtuoso, and by his permanent inventiveness. Perhaps we were inclined, personally, for more wisdom on Tuesday.