Pianissimo……means very soft or softly….
Just like the human body, the anatomy of an acoustic piano is quite fascinating! There are many different moving “body parts” and “limbs” that must work together perfectly to make the oh…….so wonderful noise that we call the piano music.
At the recent 1st Negeri Sembilan Piano Festival, which was held on the 29th September, Saturday at The Royale Chulan Hotel, Seremban, I had the opportunity to witness the festival closing concert ‘Pianissimo’. We were honoured to share this lovely evening with Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir , Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and his wife.
The evening started with a gentle but well – preceded. To the classical concert goer, this appeared to be an ambitious programme and I might be as bold as to suggest that is this concert was planned in the standard format, the choice might limit its audience unless it were specifically targeted. On the other hand, this was a great success as it drew in a lot of young people (and other ages too!); largely because of the experimental interest and there is no doubt everyone was pleasantly surprised as The President of Euroasia, Ms Angel Lee’s programme was beautiful and absorbing.
Alluring and stupendous music score, exquisitely performed by Euroasia Patron YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz as well at the Sutera Ensemble and Young Talents of Negeri Sembilan.
What can I say……..Life and music are inseparable!
On a more esoteric level, the performers and musicians placed their music at the very heart of what they did and for most it was their “raison d’etre”. Music and music making, is what drives them to the exigencies on one’s ideals and aspirations as a musician. Thus, it is important that young musicians in conservatoire and those embarking on a professional career receive support and mentorship to enable them to balance their expectations with the realities of the profession today.
Taking my daughter, Anjali along was in itself an experiment for me and we both enjoyed the evening. (She has grown up thumping away at the piano and having to sit through numerous piano recitals that she would rather not go to, but it was successful and enjoyable for her as it was with other audience members who I am sure will now seriously consider going to and enjoying, a standard concert presentation of this sort of music.
The only traditional thing I had to do was to take the initiative of leading the applause as the audience didn’t quite know what to do at the end.
The programme ended at 10.15 p.m. with the award and prize giving ceremony for the Regional Round of the Malaysian Piano Competition 2018.
Piano concerts come and go, but this performance will surely linger in my mind forever.
chrisywong.com 