Something of a departure here. 2009 is the second year of the Radio 3 Pianothon; this year's location was Leeds, to coincide with the final weekend of the Leeds International Piano Competition. Cue a bit of a mad 1 day cross-country escapade, but it was enjoyable!
I arrived at Leeds University Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall in time for the last 20 mins or so of the morning session, including the first of 2 'piano party' jam sessions -guest professional Noriko Ogawa and volunteers from the audience/performers, playing almost at sight. After a short break the afternoon session was under way, showcasing a wide variety of talent. From early/mid teens (some of the performers reminded me of myself 10 years ago) to physicists and others, the range was very impressive, some performers of an extremely high standard indeed. Radio 3's Sarah Walker was hosting and chatted to some of the performers beforehand, with Noriko Ogawa on hand to give out compliments and suggestions.
Mid-afternoon Noriko gave a masterclass on sound projection/dynamics, which was very informative -photo below. The end of the session was the second 'piano party', in which I nearly played, but I (re)discovered in rehearsal that my sight reading skills and duet skills are in need of some improvement! The party pieces included Pomp and Circumstance No 1, as a Pianothon prelude to the Last Night of the Proms. All in all I learned a few things & enjoyed a sunny day in Leeds (and my trains were all on time as well). Turns out someone else performed the same piece I had submitted, so thinking starts now for next year!
Another slice of good news, The Coal Exchange is back! Their website isn't currently updated, but the people from the sadly still closed Point sent out the message via Facebook. First show on 5th November 2009 is Alabama 3. We intend to be there, oh yes.
Last but not least- as part of my birthday celebrations in August we went to the Pop Peth exhibition at St Fagans Museum, co-curated by the Spillers people. Lots of interesting memorabilia. Worth a visit -as, I expect, will be The Sight of Sound, from 26th September at National Museum Cardiff.
I arrived at Leeds University Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall in time for the last 20 mins or so of the morning session, including the first of 2 'piano party' jam sessions -guest professional Noriko Ogawa and volunteers from the audience/performers, playing almost at sight. After a short break the afternoon session was under way, showcasing a wide variety of talent. From early/mid teens (some of the performers reminded me of myself 10 years ago) to physicists and others, the range was very impressive, some performers of an extremely high standard indeed. Radio 3's Sarah Walker was hosting and chatted to some of the performers beforehand, with Noriko Ogawa on hand to give out compliments and suggestions.
Mid-afternoon Noriko gave a masterclass on sound projection/dynamics, which was very informative -photo below. The end of the session was the second 'piano party', in which I nearly played, but I (re)discovered in rehearsal that my sight reading skills and duet skills are in need of some improvement! The party pieces included Pomp and Circumstance No 1, as a Pianothon prelude to the Last Night of the Proms. All in all I learned a few things & enjoyed a sunny day in Leeds (and my trains were all on time as well). Turns out someone else performed the same piece I had submitted, so thinking starts now for next year!
Another slice of good news, The Coal Exchange is back! Their website isn't currently updated, but the people from the sadly still closed Point sent out the message via Facebook. First show on 5th November 2009 is Alabama 3. We intend to be there, oh yes.
Last but not least- as part of my birthday celebrations in August we went to the Pop Peth exhibition at St Fagans Museum, co-curated by the Spillers people. Lots of interesting memorabilia. Worth a visit -as, I expect, will be The Sight of Sound, from 26th September at National Museum Cardiff.
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