Music / “Chopin in Transcription”. At All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie, May 28. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

MUSIC doesn’t get much better when it comes from the combination of piano and cello. But when it’s Chopin’s music, it can lead to dreamy and fiery works.

Performing for The Friends of Chopin Australia at the All Saints Anglican Church, in Ainslie were Alexander Yau, piano, and Rachel Siu, cello.

Australian pianist Alexander Yau is a versatile musician who combines many musical talents as a chamber musician, vocalist, conductor and composer.

Rachel Siu, described as “fearless” by Yo-Yo Ma, is an Australian born cellist. She began learning the cello at five, before making her mark around the world.

The sound Sui created on her cello immediately said, this is going to be an exhilarating concert. The piano soon joined in for Chopin’s “Etude” Op. 25 No. 7. The singing voice of the cello, so well played by Siu, and sitting in front of the piano was nothing short of sublime. The piano, tied like a close friend, supported the music through highly nuanced playing. A dreamy opening.

Onto the “Sonata in G minor” Op. 65. With the piano taking the lead, this more technical piece was filled with passion and calm. Through passages of fire bursting forth from both instruments and also softly spoken sections, this work sounded out strongly and serenely.

Sui has excellent performance skills. She does not slavishly follow every note because she knows the music and concentrates on letting her music speak its best.

Yau is a relaxed and confident player. His feeling for Chopin is apparent through the way he leans into the music. He too feels the music, but without a theatrical response in his body; it is in his playing.

After the interval, the “Grand Duo Concertante in E Major”. This showpiece has it all. Grand smashing chords, flowing tunes, and a perfect balance between the voices of the instruments. It’s also playful and serious and requires technical wizardry, especially for the piano.

Yau said that in this piece, he found something to match all the fireworks that violin soloists get. It’s so showy, it’s high drama. Dynamic bursts arrive through jumping and changing styles. What a performance it was.

The “Nocturne” Op.32 No, 2 in A Major, which was arranged by the performers, flowed like a mellow dream. Siu made her cello sing with a strong yearning, though maybe there could have been more rests in the cello part.

The “Introduction and Polonaise Brillante” Op. 3, closed the concert. This performance was fitting for any world-class stage, as these two are world-class players.