- "The recital last evening in the chamber music room
of the Erewan Hotel by US pianist Myron Kropp can only be described by
this reviewer as one of the most interesting experiences he has witnessed
in a long time.
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- With sparse, sandy hair, a sallow complexion, and a deceptively
frail looking frame, the man who has re-popularised Johann Sebastian Bach
approached the Baldwin Concert Grand, bowed to the audience, and placed
himself upon the stool.
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- As 1 have mentioned before, the Baldwin Concert Grand,
while basically a fine instrument, needs constant attention, particularly
in a climate such as Bangkok. In this humidity, the felts which separate
the white keys from the black tend to swell, causing an occasional key
to stick, which apparently was the case last night with the D in the second
octave.
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- During the "Raging Storm" section of the D
Minor Toccata and Fugue, Mr Kropp must be complimented for putting up with
the awkward D. However, some who attended the performance later questioned
whether the awkward key justified some of the language which was heard
coming from the stage during the softer passages of the fugue.
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- During one passage, Mr Kropp turned around completely
so that, whereas before his remarks had been aimed largely at the piano
and were therefore somewhat muted, to his surprise and that of those in
the chamber music room, he found himself addressing himself directly to
the audience.
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- But such things do happen, and the person who began to
laugh deserves to be severely reprimanded for such undignified behaviour
.
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- Unfortunately, laughter is contagious, and by the time
it had subsided and the audience had regained its composure Mr Kropp appeared
to be somewhat shaken. Nevertheless he swivelled himself back into position
facing the piano and, leaving the fugue unfinished, commenced on the Fantasia
and Fugue in G Minor.
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- Why the concert grand piano's G key in the third octave
chose that particular time to begin sticking I hesitate to guess. However,
it is certainly safe to say that Mr Kropp did nothing to help matters when
he began using his feet to kick the lower portion of the piano instead
of operating the pedals as is generally done.
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- Possibly, it was this jarring that caused the right front
leg of the piano to buckle slightly inward, leaving the entire instrument
listing at a 35-degree angle from that which is normal. A gasp went up
from the audience, followed by a sigh of relief as Mr Kropp slowly rose
from the stool and left the stage.
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- A few men in the back of the room began clapping, and
when Mr Kropp reappeared a few moments later it seemed he was responding
to the ovation. Apparently, however, he had only left to get the red-handled
fire axe which was hung back stage, and thereupon began chopping at the
legs of the piano.
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- When the weakened legs finally collapsed altogether and
Mr Kropp continuing to chop, it became obvious to all that he had no intention
of going on with the concert. The ushers came rushing in and, with the
help of the hotel manager, two Indian watchmen, and a passing police corporal,
finally succeeded in disarming Mr Kropp and dragging him off the stage."
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- The Bangkok Post
8-27-98
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