Toad Lane Concerts: John Sabar piano

John Sabar

Pianist John Sabar was the performer at this week's Toad Lane Concert at St Mary's Church on Wednesday 6 March.

John Sabar was born into a musical family and grew up between England and South-East Asia. In the sixth form he achieved DipABRSM in piano under Winnie Wu; then went on to study with Jakob Fichert at the University of York, graduating with first-class honours.

He received a scholarship to study for his master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music under John Gough. Now he performs and teaches the piano in and around Manchester as a freelance musician.

Following engaging introductions, John began with Mendelssohn’s noble Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, which begins in a moderate flowing style and suddenly erupts into flights of pianistic pyrotechnics. This was sensational and set the pattern of John’s recital.

A peaceful transcription of JS Bach by Busoni moved into Mozart’s technically challenging variations on Twinkle, twinkle, little star, which in turn contrasted with the brief, contemplative Petites Litanies De Jésus by Grovlez.

It was indeed a treat to hear the famous Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven played live and in full. The Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor ‘Sonata quasi una fantasia’ Op. 27, No. 2, to be precise, suffers from being so familiar that pianists seem reluctant to perform it. John’s unabashed playing proved to be an excellent choice with his audience and reminded us why it became so popular in the first place.

His finale was one of the great virtuoso showpieces, Liszt’s St Francis of Paula Walking on the Waves. John had already established himself as a fine player, yet he found even more power and technical prowess from somewhere. The rapturous applause at the end said it all. He left us wanting more.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson