Interior Landscape I, II, III - Jorge Ritter

Three Pieces - Jorge Ritter

Interior Landscape IV, V, VI - Jorge Ritter

La Llorona - Jorge Ritter

DESPITE the title, Interior Landscape, the recital by the Mexican composer/pianist Jorge Ritter had little feel of inwardness. This music did not seem designed to be listened to in the accustomed silence of a classical concert but, rather, because of it jazzy elements, its rather unyielding dynamics and its sense of improvisatory accretion, to be heard as a background to some quite other scene, a Mexican salon perhaps, a place where 19th century respectability and 20th century iconoclasm could meet on friendliest terms, just as they did in the music.

There was not enough variety in the selection played in the Lane Gallery last Sunday to make a satisfactory recital. The third and the fifth Interior Landscape and the second of Three Pieces were the most lively of the bunch, mixing Latin-American rhythms and jazz-like improvisation; but the expressive capabilities of the piano were only sparingly utilised.