10.26.03 | Magic Hands

For Claudine's birthday, I bought us tickets to a piano recital at London's Royal Festival Hall. I didn't know much about it; all I had done was read about it in the local weekly Time Out magazine. The magazine said it was going to be performed by a guy named Peter Donohoe, a British pianist who was holding the recital in honor of turning 50 years old. The article also said he was one of the best pianists in the world and had won the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1982. Can't go wrong with that, right?

I am not a good judge of musical talent. My musical experience terminated way back in junior high when I played the alto saxophone in the marching band. I remember having to wear a superbly dorky outfit consisting of white pants, a red-and-white checkerboard shirt and a white hat (adding to the general gawkiness inherent of being of 12 or 13 years old). I also remember not being particularly good at playing or marching, thereby succinctly explaining why I haven't played a musical instrument since.

To the point, the recital was amazing. Unlike a symphony, it was a special experience to have just one person playing. Peter Donohoe is superbly talented. His piece list was the following:

If you're unfamiliar with these pieces, all I can say is that they are extremely challenging and technical. Mr. Donohoe didn't have sheet music; everything was memorized. During the intermission, I overheard a guy behind me comment, "Wow, he's really bringing out the fireworks, isn't he?" I certainly concur. << REWIND