By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Legend has it that Paganini sold his soul to the devil to perform daring feats on his violin. Pianist Stewart Goodyear may not have sold his soul, but his performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Friday night was the most electrifying I have ever heard.

Goodyear, 26, was at the piano and guest conductor Andreas Delfs was on the podium for an engaging Music Hall program that paired Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody with another set of Paganini variations by Boris Blacher, and ended with Mozart's Symphony No. 38, Prague.

It's been 12 years since Goodyear, a Toronto native, made his debut with the Cincinnati Pops. Now a mature, rising star, he has all the equipment of a real virtuoso: Technique to burn, beautiful phrasing and a wonderful way of creating sonority. He hardly moved, not calling attention to himself, as he tackled the diabolical variations based on a theme from Paganini's 24 Caprices.

Not a heart-on-sleeve romantic like some, Goodyear went rather for intensity, power and glittering color. He displayed a mercurial touch and intense, driving energy. The famous "Eighteenth Variation" was elegant and lovely - although the conductor, off in his own world, forced the pianist to follow the orchestra as the music swelled.

As Goodyear drove to the finish, his hands were a blur through the fiendish octave runs, and the audience of about 1,800 was on its feet at the cutoff.

Delfs, who also was making his Music Hall Cincinnati Symphony debut, is music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has a charismatic presence and a clear beat, though he occasionally exaggerated his movements.

Delfs opened with Blacher's fascinating Variations on a Theme of Niccolo Paganini, a piece written in 1947 that seemed to take its cue from jazz. There were pizzicato strings, staccato brass and some great, jazzy smears from the clarinet (kudos to Anthony McGill). It was a fun discovery.

The evening concluded with Mozart's glorious Prague Symphony. The slow introduction was a bit ponderous, but the ensuing Allegro was spirited and bright, and Delfs brought out the sunny quality of the lyrical second theme.

The slow movement had a pastoral beauty, colored with hints of darkness. The finale was fleet, driving and full of contrast - and the conductor nearly leaped off the podium to cue in the crashing timpani beats (Eugene Espino).

The orchestra, which is playing at the top of its game lately, turned in a precise, vibrant performance.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra repeats at 8 p.m. today in Music Hall. Tickets: 381-3300.

E-mail jgelfand@enquirer.com

Concert review