(Review from the artSMart team covering the
Witness Hilton Arts Festival which ran at Hilton College from September 19 to
21)
Pure delight to be whisked off on a magnificent musical journey.
(Review by Pauline Dalais)
I have to admit at the start that I know nothing about
classical music but I had heard so much about Christopher Duigan that I wanted
to experience a live performance from him. Linked to the fact that he was
performing with Anthony Stonier, Sparky’s
Magic Piano became a “must” for Hilton.
I also had little knowledge of the production beforehand so
did not know what to expect. We were blindfolded for most of the show, so we
could fully experience it the way it was originally created in 1947 - on radio
or record.
It was a pure delight to be whisked off on a magnificent
musical journey with Duigan’s piano playing and Stonier’s captivating
storytelling skills. When the blindfolds came off, I was mesmerised by the way
Duigan’s fingers flew over the keys in the various moods.
Sparky’s Magic Piano
is about a little boy who won’t practise his piano music. The piano turns out
to be a magic one and does his practising for him! This leads to much amazement
from his teacher, family and friends and before long he’s on a concert
platform. But for how long is the piano going to put up with Sparky’s arrogant
behaviour!
I was pleased that I actually did recognise most of the
pieces that were played and look forward to expanding my knowledge of this kind
of music. – Pauline Dalais
Posts
