Tocco Shares Spotlight with Colleagues

(first published in The Cincinnati Post Oct. 22, 1991)

Cincinnati's newest musical citizen, pianist James Tocco, made his inaugural bow Monday night at Corbett Auditorium in the spirit of collegiality: by sharing the spotlight with his colleagues.

Newly named Eminent Scholar in Piano and Chamber Music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the acclaimed pianist was joined on the recital by members of the CCM faculty.

It was a potent reminder of the high caliber of CCM's faculty artists, as well as a taste of things to come. For Tocco's mission at CCM includes expanding the chamber music program, with increased performances locally and nationally.

The high-profile crowd, which included dignitaries from UC and the state, was treated also to the brilliant sound of CCM's new Boesendorfer Imperial grand piano, a part of the Ohio Board of Regents' Eminent Scholar grant.

Heard with Tocco in Beethoven's Trio Op. 1, No. 1, were violinist Kurt Sassmanshaus and cellist Lee Fiser. It was a good-humored opener, with focused ensemble and nimble playing. A quintet of wind faculty joined Tocco for a spirited performance of Poulenc's Sextet for Piano and Winds. The music's wit - brash and expansive in the outer movements, more subtle in the sweet-voiced Divertissement - came through splendidly, as did the players' joy in making music together.

It was Tocco's night, however, as he demonstrated magnificently in Chopin's Sonata No. 3 in B Minor. Prefaced touchingly by "October" from Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons," the work was a revelation of moods, from the agile Scherzo with its tender Trio, to the profoundly expressive Largo and thrilling, bravura finale. Responding to the appreciative crowd, Tocco played encores by Debussy and Ravel.

Begun in 1983 as part of the Board of Regents' Selective Excellence Program, the Eminent Scholar awards are designed to attract world-class scholars to the state. Only nine awards are made each biennium. CCM is the first arts program in the state to receive an Eminent Scholar award.

Making welcoming remarks before the concert were UC President Joseph Steger, Ohio Senate President Stanley Aronoff and CCM Dean Robert Werner.

Tocco will perform at CCM Feb. 23 with the Alexander String Quartet, and May 21 in a recital of music by Copland and Bernstein.

Concert review - JAMES TOCCO. Inaugural recital, Eminent Scholar in Piano/ Chamber Music, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Monday night, Corbett Auditorium. Kurt Sassmanshaus, violin. Lee Fiser, cello. Nadine Asin, flute. Sara Bloom, oboe. Ronald de Kant, clarinet. William Winstead, bassoon. Steven Gross, horn. PROGRAM: Beethoven, Trio No. 1 in E- flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1. Poulenc, Sextet for Piano and Winds. Tchaikovsky, "October" from "The Seasons." Chopin, Sonata No. 3 in B Minor.