Forsyth Music Shop provided a wonderful Christmas haven away from the busy and snowy streets of Manchester city centre on Saturday afternoon as piano learners across Greater Manchester came to play, to listen, and to support friends and family in the CanKnowPiano™ Christmas Concert 2022. Sixteen performers gathered in Manchester's oldest family-run business and played a range of music from Christmas tunes to Brahms and Khachaturian - all in aid of Cancer Research.
CanKnowPiano™ Christmas Concert 2022: in aid of Cancer Research
Our youngest performers - Anthony, Bill, and Elliot (aged four and up) - heartened the audience with their first public performances, playing Mary Had a Little Lamb, Star Wars, and Frère Jacques. Each showed real courage playing for an audience of 40-50, and - needless to say - we all became well reacquainted with Jingle Bells! :)
It was inspiring to see each of the young learners perform pieces from beginner to Grade 4 with preparation and confidence. The nuances in Thomas's Lullaby; the calmness of Arturo's Night Journey; the fluency of Winnie's Silent Night; and the assuredness of Alexander's Deck The Halls were especially memorable.
Our adult beginners - Alistair and Alex - gave great first performances of pieces from Pam Wedgwood's It's Never Too Late To Play Piano. Jane, Alan, and Ruggero played pieces from Grade 2 to 4, and it seemed the audience appreciated their conviction, humour, and spirit!
Simon's performance of Howard Blake's Walking In The Air was especially captivating, and his performance of the Brahms Lullaby was beautifully phrased. Ella's performance of Ben Crosland's I Hear What You Say was exceptionally poised and beautiful, and was played with calmness and maturity throughout. Eleanor whipped up quite a storm with the Burgmüller, and the audience was rearing for some mince pieces and mulled wine after Eleanor pulled out all the stops - pun intended - for O Little Town Of Bethlehem!
Congratulations and thanks to each of our performers, parents, friends, family, and listeners for all your support this year!
Rory
Rory Dowse
BMus(Hons), MMus
Piano Lessons Heaton Moor
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