By JOSEPH YOUNGBLOOD

Anyone who harbors any doubts about the future of bravura pianism should have been in the DeSantis Family Chapel of Palm Beach Atlantic University on Thursday evening. Three young pianists gave stunning performances of three piano concertos: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E Flat, K. 271 by W.A. Mozart, Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 16 by Edvard Grieg and Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Flat by Franz Liszt. These were not tentative, youthful performances but mature, intelligent and artistic.

The pianists were accompanied by the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra; Philippe Entremont conducted the Mozart concerto, and David Jacobs conducted those by Grieg and Liszt. Because the space available in the chapel for the orchestra is limited, the number of strings was reduced. This put the strings at a disadvantage when trying to balance with the winds, especially when the horns were playing out. This issue aside, the orchestra was well disciplined and provided a sensitive accompaniment.

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