Music-loving Portlanders filled the pews at The Old Church Concert Hall for a noontime recital of riveting piano playing by young Georgian pianist Natalia Kazaryan. She dedicated her recital to the solo piano works of women composers, and credits these women – especially Clara Schumann, the first female concert pianist – with making her career possible and serving as great inspiration in her work as a pianist.

The recital was presented without intermission and most of the pieces were on the shorter side, save for the final composition. Kazaryan started the program with Three Romances, Op. 21 by Clara Schumann – beautiful, lyrical pieces with a rhetorical feel at times, and it was clear that Kazaryan felt this music deeply. The third Romance in particular gave the audience the sense that they were flowing along in a river of sound. What a great way to start things off!

She followed that with two pieces by Amy Beach, one from the late 19th century and one from the 1930s. In particular, the work Young Birches (Op. 128) was an opportunity for Kazaryan to exploit the sound and texture of the high treble part of the keyboard, revealing a series of gorgeous bell tones.

Kazaryan told us that Lili Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Piano was the first work by a woman composer that she fell in love with. She gifted us a gloriously warm and complex sound in D’un Vieux Jardin; irresistible articulation in D’un Jardin Clair; and supple, lithe passage work in Cortège. Her passion for this music came through clearly.

Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman by Joan Tower (the only living composer on the program) had the most modern sound than what came before in the program. It was very different in its dissonance, which Kazaryan reveled in. She showed us new and exciting sounds and just how deep a connection she has with the piano; she graced us with the beauty and physicality of piano playing. She remarked, “it took a lot of guts to compose a piece like this,” with the audible response by an audience member, “and for you to play it!” After Kazaryan was through there were cheers and clapping for her incredible performance.

Fanny Mendelsson’s Song for the Piano, Op. 8 No. 1 followed – a work originally attributed to her brother, Felix. It was lovely, lyrical, and you couldn’t help falling for the beautiful sounds Kazaryan was able to coax from the instrument. You just wanted to float away on the comforting harmonies and enticing virtuosic passage work.

Sonata No. 2 by Grażyna Bacewicz ended the program, and what an ending it was. Kazaryan treated us to a physically powerful performance with big crashing sounds utilizing the full keyboard in the first movement; lyrical, round and dissonant harmonies in the second; and a quick and light third movement that had her fingers dancing across the keyboard. Well-deserved cheers, applause and a standing ovation greeted her when she was through.

What a delight it was to witness the artistry of Natalia Kazaryan, a true skilled and musical virtuoso. Do not miss her when she comes to your town.