Maxim Lando (pronounced Maxeem) and Lando-rhymes with piano, is a piano prodigy whose love for playing classical compositions of all epochs performed energetically for an intimate group at the 222 in Healdsburg. The 222 doubles as a live arts performance space in the evenings and as an art gallery by day. The gallery space accommodates live audiences in a nightclub setting. There was a Q&A with Lando before the concert. I was a no show because I didn't know. The 222 needs to do a better job of marketing their events listing times/notifications for better communication. Nonetheless, Lando came on stage on this rainy, chilly Sunday evening.Lando's agile, complex piano playing and gregarious/genuine personality, provided a memorable evening of musical entertainment. Donning a red satin shirt, iridescent black/blue jacket and a mega watt smile, Lando warmly welcomed the audience who braved their way out on the gloomy, inclement night. Lando said. "I've been getting inspiration from the artworks." He also spoke about his frustrations when cooped up during COVID and unable to perform or attend concerts. He said, The glorious sounds of music and colors both resound gloriously." He went on to say he had to comprise ways to keep himself engaged with practicing and playing during the lockdown which lead him to try arcane compositions and play continuously pieces in unexpected combinations. "Go with me on some of the works on tonight's program," he besieged the crowd. The first piece on the program was an arrangement by Brahms of Bach's "Chaconne in D minor for Left Hand." Sitting up close I was fascinated with both the dexterity of his left hand and the staid positioning of his right which was steadfast on his right thigh. It was difficult to determine from the full orchestral impression it created. Londo's left hand played several octaves above and below middle C. I wanted Lando to tell us why did Brahm's choose to revise Bach's piece solely the left hand. The second number, "Three Dances from Frankenstein Op. 140 (2022) by L Lieberman (b. 1961), was a 3 movement piano concerto. Lando said Liberian wrote it for him and gave him license to revise it. The piece invoked an eerie and moody ambiance that was both strange and alluring. After a brief intermission, Lando returned wearing a different shiny shirt, sans jacket. The mezzo forte playing on the Yamaha concert, baby grand was physically arduous and percussive. The 2nd half was comprised of works by composers I was unfamiliar ( Balakirev, Buskin & Lyapunov) except for a nocturne by Chopin, "Because, after all, Chopin's music is just so beautiful." The rousing applause brought Lando back on stage for an encore. He ended the brilliant evening with Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue;" a classic crowd pleaser.
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