Piano Picnic – Competition Prize winners at Fairlight
Hastings International Piano is delighted to present a full weekend of concerts, masterclasses and talks at Fairlight Hall. Four exceptional young pianists will be taking part: Curtis Phill Hsu, Harmony Zhu, and Mariamna Sherling (all recent prizewinners) and Lithuanian pianist Gabrielė Sukutė, a regular of the Learning and Participation Programme.
Harmony Zhu, one of the prizewinning performers
Friday evening will see an informal evening concert by Hsu and Sukutė, including music by Debussy, Rachmaninov and Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, and Mussorgsky’s monumental Pictures at an Exhibition. The audience will be seated cabaret-style and a free glass of Pimm’s is included in the ticket price.
On Saturday, there’s a chance to watch all four pianists take part in open masterclasses with two of the UK’s leading professors of piano: Aaron Shorr of the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, and Hastings International Piano’s Artistic Director, Professor Vanessa Latarche.
On Sunday morning there’s an illustrated talk by Julian Dendy, one of the chief technicians at the world’s leading piano manufacturer, Steinway & Sons. This company plays a key role in supporting Hastings International Piano. Julian will show us how keys are balanced and hammers adjusted prior to a concert performance – and what difference this preparation makes to the pianist and the listener.
Finally, on Sunday afternoon all four pianists will give a short but brilliant performance, followed by an opportunity to get to know all of them with a brief Q&A. The programme will include music by Chopin, Rameau, Ravel, Grandos and Debussy.
The perfect Fairlight gardens will be open all weekend, and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and explore the grounds at leisure. You can also book for a sit-down buffet lunch on the terrace before the concert on Sunday.
Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite – search for Hastings International Piano. eventbrite.co.uk Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July Friday concert – £25 + booking fee; Saturday Open Masterclasses – free but booking essential; Sunday Steinway talk – free but booking essential Sunday concert – £35 + booking fee; buffet lunch – £55 18s and under accompanied by a paying adult – free (but booking essential). Limited cover of the audience seating area will be provided in the event of bad weather.
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