PIANAMERICA! (Part 2)

The concert that I went to tonight was called Pianamerica. The concert was comprised of many solo piano pieces composed by Americans, and a piece that was composed for two pianos with an original percussion piece. The music that was played was primarily classical aside from one Broadway piece.

Each piece was very different, and four of the six of them contained multiple movements that varied tempos and provoked different emotions. One extremely interesting piece was Toccata for Piano composed by Emma Lou Diemer. The piece was very rhythmic and during the piece the performer would mute the strings to create a different sound from the keys, and she ended by drumming on the strings of the piano. This was one of my favorite pieces of the evening. I loved the different intricacies of the piece and thought that it was really cool. I thought that it was similar to the Irish music that we listened to in class because in both the rhythm is so important.

Another piece that I loved (even though I thought that they were all amazing) was called Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. The piece was originally arranged for two pianos by John Musto, and two students wrote their own drum arrangement for the piece. The song contained nine movements. I am a huge fan of the musical West Side Story and am always in awe of the instrumental versions of the songs. 

Each song was very different and caused a different reaction. I thought that the piece Eight Memories in Watercolor composed by Tan Dun was, really beautiful. Some of the movements were more calming and moving such as the one titled Ancient Burial, while the final movement, Sunrain was much lighter and more upbeat with many 16th notes.

Similar to Folk I thought that the West Side Story piece was able to bring people together, and unite all the demographics that were in the room. Many people, have heard the music to the musical and are familiar with the songs. At the end of the piece we all gave the performers a standing ovation for their amazing performances. The music was able to unite all the people in the Hall with their love of music. 

There were many differences that the music had to folk as well. None of the songs were simple, all of them were quite difficult. I was fortunate to get a seat with a view of the keys, so I could see the pianists hands. Many times I had trouble following the hands as they danced so rapidly across the keys. They were definitely not pieces that you would play at a blue-grass festival, and it was not the atmosphere where you would clap along or join in with the performers. I was much more formal with all of them wearing evening gowns. 

Overall I really enjoyed the concert and would definitely go to another one. My sister is a pianist and I grew up going to her recitals and listening to her practicing classical music in the house. The piano is one of my favorite instruments because it is so versatile and there are so many different styles that can be played on it. The talent of the performers was amazing and I can wait to see other styles of concerts as well!