Local concert pianist Peter Walker presents The Drama in Music in his concert at the Stan Hagen Theatre on March 18.
Walker has recently retired to the valley from Calgary where he spent many years teaching in Calgary Secondary Schools and teaching private piano lessons.
He was the winner four Silver Medals in achieving his ARCT and Associate Diploma (Western Board) in Solo Piano Performance. He also holds a Master of Education Degree from University of Calgary, specializing in composition of music for schools.
During his teaching career, Peter continued to explore new repertoire and to develop his performance skills as a member of the Piano Diploma Association — a group of about 24 who had attained their ARCT in solo piano. They meet once a month and share their music. Each member is to learn and perform a new piece each year.
Fortunately for us, Peter has now, in his retirement, found sufficient time and energies to compile a complete program of music. He has selected Drama in Music as a theme — a program that is varied; presenting widely contrasting themes and movements.
Probably the most dramatic piece on the program is Beethoven’s popular Appassionata Sonata. Op. 57 in F minor. The opening movement is fiery, angry, thunder and lightning; while the second movement has a music box sound; then the sonata ends with a whirlwind dance. Very exciting music!
Kabalevsky’s Sonata Op. 46 No. 3 contains the drama of war and peace. Kabalevsky wrote this in 1946 after personally living in Russia through the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the Second World War. After militaristic themes in the first movement, the composer creates a love song in the second movement.
Walker has selected a program with not only great contrasts in themes and styles but also contrasts in periods of music. He will begin with two short sonatas (originally for the harpsichord) by Scarlatti (1685-1757) and he will end with two contemporary pieces.
One is by Mika, a 28-year-old British pop star who has become a sensation internationally. He writes his own music, lyrics and designs the art work for his covers. His hit single Grace Kelly has sold over 5.6 million copies. Peter will present another of Mika’s hit singles, Any Other World.
The second contemporary piece is Kashmir, written by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham — all members of the great rock group Led Zeppelin.
The concert March 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the Comox Valley campus of North Island College is the third of a series presented by the Comox Valley Piano Society. Tickets ($18) are available at Laughing Oyster Bookstore, Blue Heron Books, and Videos N More.
For more information about the CV Piano Society or this concert, see www.comoxvalleypianosociety.com or call Donna at 250-339-7782.
— Comox Valley Piano Society
