Leeds will be awash with music on Saturday 12th September, as the city plays host to a day of live piano music, being host to BBC Radio 3′s Pianothon, which coincides with the final day of the Leeds International PianoForte Competition.
Pianothon 2009 Leeds
The Pianothon is being held at the restored Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, part of the University of Leeds, with performances from over fifty slelected pianists from in and around the city of Leeds.
Professional pianists Benjamin Frith and Noriko Ogawa will be present, giving some of the lucky participants music masterclasses, and the host for the day-long event will be Radio 3 presenter Sarah Walker.
Amateur pianists take part in the Pianothon of all ages and abilities, playing either solo pieces or as part of a duo.
Any piece of music can be played, from the simplest of keyboard melodies to a full-blown classical piano concerto if the participant if confident enough!
The only restriction is that the playing of the piece can be no longer than ten minutes duration.
This is a fun opportunity for amateur pianists to perform in an informal concert environment, with the chance for anybody and everybody to come along and listen to them.
All of the performances will be recorded by the BBC, then posted and made available on the Pianothon website, as well as a selection being played on the Afternoon on 3 and Breakfast radio shows on Radio 3 the following week.
You can become part of the audience for this non-competitive celebratory event for free.
The Pianothon is informally run, and audiences are encouraged to come and go as they please.
Leeds Musicians
Local pianist Robin Wade, of Roundhay, will be playing some Rachmaninov, he told the BBC Leeds website:
“I am a little nervous but I love the idea of the Pianothon, especially it featuring people who wouldn’t normally get heard.
“I will be playing around midday but the event starts at 9am and I am looking forward to hearing all the other people play.
“I am used to practising at home but not playing to an audience on the piano. I studied at Leeds College of Music, and have played the guitar in live bands. I have learnt the piano piece by heart because I am not a great sight reader but it is a different kettle of fish playing in front of an audience.”
Pianothon host, Sarah Walker on the Pianothon website:
“Radio 3’s Pianothon is a wonderfully creative and inclusive way of celebrating the joy of making music at the piano. Linking Pianothon to this year’s Leeds International Piano Competition celebrates piano-playing right across the spectrum – from talented amateurs to top ranking professionals.”
The Pianothon will be running from 9:30 until 16:30 at the Clothworkers Hall.
For further information visit the Leeds Pianothon website
Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2009
Related Blogs of Interest:
The Culture Vulture
Muso
Interlude
Classical Magazines
University of Leeds