Asiya Korepanova is not yet a household name like van
Cliburn. Just you wait, as her nationwide tour unfolds, and brings her talent to many across the USA.
This wonderfully
talented pianist practically tore the keys off the Ferrari-like Fazioli grand
piano at her opening concert at Euro Pianos Naples. From the dreamily delicately soft, oh-so
familiar triplet notes of Beethoven's
"Moonlight Sonata's" adagio sostenuto to the Sonata's tempestuous presto agitato finale, she brought the composer's sheet music to
adrenalin-pumping life. The first
movement truly sounded "quasi una fantasia", an
improvisational fantasy, with its idyllic calm. Music lovers soon closed their eyelids almost in unison, to better
savor the cradling melody. There as many interpretations of this movement as
there are pianists. Asiya's interpretation caresses your soul with its spiritual beauty. I played this movement in my piano years, long ago, and stopped after a couple hundred of times, never to play it again; I could not bring forth the beauty that I
knew the sheet music possessed. Asiya played is as soulfully as I only dreamed it could be played. Thank you, Asiya.
The 2nd movement's
spirited sprightly melody, staccato chords and oft -repeated motif gave little hint
of the raw vigor of the 3rd movement.
THEN...The thunderous presto agitato movement shook the
walls and ceiling of the intimate concert hall with a jackhammer's aural assault and frenzied
tempo. Which would break first, the piano's felt hammers, or taut steel strings, as
Asiya's fingers precision bombed and strafed 88 keys? Well over 50 notes per second were flung from her
fingers at the Fazioli's responsive keys in a Faustian explosion of hot passion and icy precision.
Metronome and ivories be dashed and
damned! Pianist united with piano, like a jockey bound to a frantic thoroughbred.
The piano's bolts of fire and rolling
thunderous bass had the now incredulous audience on edge. Two tormented pianists
must have been battling in the room, as waves of sound pelted and dashed the windows, walls and wide-eyed attendees' eardrums.
Asiya then dazzled the audience with her intricate
transcription for solo piano, of both the piano and cello parts from Sergei Rachmaninoff's Sonata for Cello
and Piano, G Minor, Op. 19. The
audience gave three resounding standing ovations. Asiya responded with three generous
encores, then pianist and audience mixed over Prosecco and pastries.
Asiya Korepanova is outgoing and bright, and just conceals steel
sinews witihn her warmly welcoming handshake! She is finishing her Doctorate at the University
of Miami. That's a close enough drive for a music lover to sponsor another concert in
Naples, be it at a private home or at a larger venue. Don't miss it!
www.AsiyaKorepanova.com
Noodle's Italian Cafe's Jazz Night is the place to be, Saturdays from 9:30 pm till 1 am. The regulars return for the Italian food and the sushi, now they return for the music and the food!
light jazz and rock band. Paul is a superb flutist-picture Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, and you know the quality!
His wife, Renata, is a dynamo with the 
electric violin, and she puts on an electrifying performance,
sometimes at band level, other times on a platform several feet off the ground! Together with the other musicians, Steve Lavealley and Mario Escareno, they play jazz, rock, rhythm and blues, and fusion. 
People just start dancing and clapping! 
Brothers Matt and Seth Benevento-Berman started Noodles 16 years ago, and it moved to larger digs last year. The setting is warm and welcoming, with autumn colors, and plenty of woods and copper. Each month, they pair with Sweet Art Gallery, and sponsor one local artist's work on the walls. Yes, there's great visual talent in town, and Dede Sweet knows who to feature. Noodles has a full menu, and a special, lighter menu when the music starts. I had the sushi, and it's fresh and beautifully prepared.
There's also Pasta Bayou with Andouille Sausage, blackened chicken, smoked mozzarella and capicolla, tossed with lemon fettucine ($15), Lobster Ravioli's with crawfish and tasso cream sauce (10), Crabe Cakes topped with Cajun shrimp and lobster sauce (14), and Fresh Florida Gator Cocktail (9). My partner had the Big Easy Platter with fried oysters, gator tail, and shrimp (16), and it was crisp and fresh! The portions are good sized, and the price is right for an evening of dining and dancing with a top band. They even make custom plates for special requests.
The crème brûlée is one of the best in town!
The Band kicks it up! 
