Cristopher Axworthy, 9 October 2025 — “The clarity and precision of a master musician”
“The ‘Allegro’ central interruption was played with dynamic brilliance and extraordinary clarity. Driving Beethovenian impatience was quelled with the exquisite beauty of the return of the ‘Andante’ that just dissolved to a whisper without any rallentando! Susanna’s extraordinary intelligence and musicianship allowed each movement to flow into the next in a work of unique originality for its time. A true ‘Allegro molto e vivace’ second movement, was played with the irascible youthful Beethovenian drive and impatience, with the central driving bass rhythms giving extra energy always especially when played with the dynamism of this young Swiss pianist. The ‘Adagio’ she so rightly said was similar to the second movement of the C minor concerto and she played it with the same poignant nobility and extraordinary beauty that Beethoven could conjure out of his genius that had nothing to do with Bel Canto but was more of orchestral origin. It was Susanna’s thinking up from the bass always that gave strength to Beethoven’s deeply felt mellifluous outpouring. After a beautifully whispered cadenza Susanna held us in suspense on a single A flat before allowing the ‘Allegro vivace’ finale to take us by storm. A rhythmic energy with dynamic contrasts all played at red hot temperature. Extraordinary clarity and precision but also passionate drive and understanding, of overwhelming energy that made the short return of the ‘Adagio’ so moving as it was unexpected.”