Piano
concert presents opportunity for perfection
Jamar Younger
Mesa Legend
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Dennis Mikulich Mesa Legend |
| Naoko Ochi (left to right) , Ok Hee
Park, Ruth Yandell, Chiyo Tanaka and Akiko Matoba all participated
in the performance that took place on Jan. 24. |
Piano students from the MCC music department got a chance to display
their musical talents at the annual student piano concert, held
at the Theatre Outback Friday Jan. 23 and Saturday Jan. 24.
Those who attended the concert were treated to renditions of famous
works by classical composers such as Frederic Chopin, Johannes Brahms,
Claude Debussy, George Gershwin and others.
The Friday program included solo piano performances, as well as
dual piano sets. The Saturday program consisted mainly of concerto
pieces, with the orchestral parts being played on an accompanying
piano.
The songs evoked a myriad of emotions, ranging from dark and somber
to light and jubilant. Some of the songs were soothing, peaceful
and even elegant, and most of the pieces were filled with intense,
dramatic moments.
Some of the songs also told stories. One of the songs was “Prelude
No. 10 in B minor, Op. 23,” composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff
and performed by pianist John Sheffer. The song told the story of
Rachmaninoff’s love for his homeland of Russia and how much
he missed Russia after he moved to America. Sheffer referred to
the song as “one of my favorite pieces.”
Not only did the audience enjoy a classical piano performance, but
the students were able to gain valuable experience as well. Ruth
Yandell, who is the head piano instructor in the music department,
referred to the experience as a “very good boost of morale
for the students.”
“That’s an experience that is very helpful,” said
Yandell, who noted that performances like these help prepare the
students for future concerts. “It gives them something to
work for. They work for perfection.”
Most of the students have very diverse musical backgrounds.
Mariann Aston, who performed “Dream of Olwen” by Charles
Williams, has been playing the piano for 19 years. She has been
taking lessons at MCC since 2001. Her passion for the instrument
was fostered by her family - her mother and older brother both play
the piano.
“Since the time I was really young, I would just sit at the
piano and just want to play it,” said Aston.
In 2002, Aston took first place in the Outstanding Performers competition,
which brings together top pianists from local community colleges
to compete against one another.
This was her third piano recital at MCC.
Some of the other performers in the recital were not as fortunate
to have the same experience as Aston.
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