Pianissimo! 2018

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Five grand pianos clustered together, two pianists seated at each piano, playing the William Tell Overture: absolutely amazing! Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of attending the Pianissimo! 2018 concert featuring the University of Montana Keyboard Division at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Spokane, Washington. Of all the free piano concerts I have enjoyed there, this was the very best one yet.

The recital room is about 25 feet x 40 feet, with a platform about 10 ft deep in the front of the room. (I'm guessing on the dimensions.) Normally, one 9' Steinway grand piano graces the center of the platform, but for this occasion three Steinways and one Boston were sandwiched onto the platform, with a second Boston situated directly in front of them on the floor. The announcer said putting them up there was rather like playing Tetris. I'd like to know how many people it takes to move one of those beautiful behemoths around!

Opening the program was a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, arranged by Shumway. Playing the five pianos were two members of the U of M music department faculty, one retired concert pianist with U of M ties, one highly-advanced student, and one other adult whose connection with the group was not clear to me, but her capability at the piano was certainly impressive. The covers had been removed from all the pianos so the pianists could see each other. It was fun to see how they communicated, when necessary, by simple nods or facial expressions.

There were one-piano four-hand duets, two-piano four-hand duets, five piano/five pianist arrangements, and that one amazing rendition of the William Tell Overture featuring ten of the thirteen students. The room was filled with the music, and I found myself holding my breath in sheer awe. One incredibly talented student had arranged The Court Jester, a kind of jazz fusion, for two pianos, and was joined by one of the faculty members to perform it. The student played without the score, and his absorption in the music was almost tangible. The piano became an extension of himself.

If this group returns to Spokane again, I will make it a point to be there for their concert. It was an incredible performance, and I would love to experience it again.