A New Duo: Nena and Ambassador Jess

International piano concertist Nena Villanueva was the stellar attraction but what surprised everyone was the performance of German Ambassador Herbert D. Jess who himself had presented many leading pianists at his own residence. Written invitations had mentioned only "Nena and Friends"; accordingly, everyone sat up and took notice when Mr. Jess played with Nena no less the opening Sonata for four hands in D Major by Mozart.

Before interpreting Schumann’s Knecht Rupprecht as soloist, Mr. Jess served as his own annotator, saying the piece would depict Sta. Claus distributing gifts to children assisted by a helper. Confident and assured, Mr. Jess conveyed the Yuletide story charmingly.

Forthwith, the newest duo rendered R. Eilenberg’s programmatic music portraying a wintry ride with sleigh bells ringing.

Nena and Carminda Regala then played five Fauré compositions after which Nena provided the wonders of the evening with virtuoso renditions of Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableau, Prelude in D Major and Moment Musicale, followed by Donizetti’s Finale from the opera Lucia, arranged by Leschetizky for the left hand alone. How the tour de force gave the impression of both hands working!

Ginastera’s Danza Argentina No. 3 (Danza del gaucho metrero) was similarly daunting but Nena remained unfazed. The concert came to a close with Astor Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango for Cello and Piano. Here, Nena showed her awesome skill as she produced clusters of sound, pizzicatos and glissandis–these contracting with the resonant, luminous glowing tones of cellist Renato Lucas.

To the long, lusty applause, Nena responded with a Chopin Nocturne, perhaps to calm the excited audience, then Michelline Jess, wife of the ambassador-turned-pianist, handed bouquets to all performers–except to Mr. Jess, doubtless for reasons of modesty–amidst rounds of even lustier applause.