November, 2008

Last week was a particularly fun week for me, as I had the chance to collaborate with a couple of friends of mine. The first trip was to Boston, for the Poulenc Double Concerto with Christopher Shih. The conductor was Jim Orent, who was a great guy to work with. The Newton Symphony Orchestra sounded fabulous. We first started with a “soiree” in the afternoon on Saturday. It was at Richard Einhorn’s place, who is one of the organizers of the Boston International Piano Amateurs Competition. The soiree consisted of many other amateur pianists playing pieces they had been working on. It was a lovely time, and made me think of times in Toronto when we have similar piano gatherings. Here I am with Chris, Richard and Robert Finley.

The concert was a success. The Poulenc is an exciting concerto, and I think it grew on me the more I worked on it. On stage it was very high-energy. The stage was packed with a full orchestra and two Steinway concert grands. I think we really felt the piece moving the right way, and most importantly, Chris and I had so much fun on stage. I was excited to see 4 video cameras set up, as the local Newton television station was recording the concert for broadcast. Hopefully in a few months when it is ready I will be able to post something! Unfortunately I don’t have too many photos, but here is one of Chris and myself backstage. I have to thank Chris once again, for inviting me to play with him. It was such a generous offer, and I was thrilled to finally get the chance to play together with him. I look up to this guy both as a pianist and as a medical professional...and family man!!!

The day after I returned I was off to LA for an evening concert with my friend and ex-classmate, Matthew Bagasao. Matt is a former student of my teacher, Marc Durand. He studied at Peabody and then the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. He currently lives in LA and is a freelance performer and teacher. I was treated so well by him and his family. I have to admit...we did more golfing and shopping than we did playing the piano. The concert was a good mix of music, and I really enjoyed Matt’s repertoire (Kapustin and Schubert in particular). There was some star power in the crowd as well...a certain Oscar winner’s mother was at the concert! Show me the music!!! Ha. I also met a young boy who had seen me on YouTube. It was a real treat to meet him, as he even brought me his Rach 3 score to sign.

Now my focus is on a Canadian Music Competition fundraiser back home in Saskatoon. It will be the same program I played in Paris and LA. I am really excited to play this time, as it will be in Convocation Hall on the U of S campus. This hall was under renovations for over a decade, so I haven’t played there for quite some time. The last time might have been when I won my first city competition, the Kinsmen Festival. That was the first time I was ever in the Saskatoon newspaper...which was my only dream at the time!

You also might see that my 2009 schedule seems blank. Stay tuned...I have some ideas for the upcoming year. Happy Holidays everyone!