A CELEBRATION OF YOUNG TALENT
Recitals in front of a live audience have always been an inspiration for students to hone their performance skills and exhibit their musicianship. On the 10th of August, students of Fauzia Marikar, displayed their love for Western classical music. Amidst the familiar comfort of mostly family and friends the students performed at Theme Piano World, the Kawai piano retail shop in Kolkata. The evening’s ensemble included a wide variety of solo recitals on the piano, besides a piano violin duo and piano duets for four hands. The students performed a diverse repertoire ranging from Handel to Mike Cornick which was executed with confidence and ease.
Watching the city retire for the weekend from behind the big glass windows of the piano showroom was the perfect backdrop to many sensitive and interesting performances of the evening. Muzio Clementi’s early Sonatinas are not merely easy pieces for the keyboard. This particular evening began with two cheerful sonatas. The Sonata in F, played by Vihana Mitra, a brave and steady delivery, considering that it was the opener! This was followed by the Sonata in C, played by little Saloni Mondel, an old hand at this sort of thing. Ten year old Aadya Narayan played a delightful Haydn Andante, with very well executed runs, followed by an Etude by the 19th century French pianist and composer Louise Ferrenc. Although her little face might have reflected a kind of terror, her performance showed a sensitivity beyond her years.
This was followed by Six Variations on a Theme by Beethoven, played by Dhiman Narayan. There was great musicality and confidence despite an unfair attack of mid-performance sniffles which he overcame, playing the last and very challenging variations with great panache. Jaydeep Ghosh played a short Scarlatti Sonata followed by an expressive little jazz cameo Blue Cat, by Brimhall.
A violin and piano interlude by guest musicians Pallab Pramanick (Violin) and Amlan Jyoti Sen (Piano) was the haunting Meditation from Thais, by Massenet. The duo is no newcomer to this lovely venue, having performed here recently as ‘Con amore’.
Then, with great energy and ‘brio’ two sisters, Roshni Mondal and Saloni, four hands on one piano, announced the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by G.F. Handel. A thoroughly enjoyable piece, never mind the few slips.
Arkayan Ganguly’s 3rd movement from Beethoven’s Sonata No 7 was closely followed by the Sonata in F, by Arne and was played by Ilina Ghose. Abhimanyu Roy, played a graceful Waltz in D by Grieg and followed this with Odeon by the Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth.
Our two sisters were on again, with the much loved and ever popular Hungarian Dance No 5, by Brahms. Once again, we heard young Dhiman, in a stylish and accurate rendition of Mike Cormick’s Film Noir and finally Abhimanyu Roy played the beautiful Waltz Sentimentale by Tchaikowski.
A good note to end on. Thanks to Theme Music and the efficient and kindly staff who made it all possible.
