Gabrielian brings classical music to life

SEELEY LAKE - World-renowned classical pianist Tanya Gabrielian started off the New Year bringing a whole new level of music to the Seeley-Swan High School auditorium. Playing to an audience of more than 100 people Sunday, Jan. 5, Gabrielian captured the hearts and minds of those in attendance with her piano mastery and ability to make an emotional connection to the music.

Before each of the four songs, Gabrielian provided history and context for the composer and the piece. In addition, she highlighted various parts and changes in the music to listen for.

The first sonata she played, written by Alfred Schnittke, was in stark contrast to George Handel's opera that followed. Gabrielian admitted that the dissonance used by Schinittke to convey sadness, suffering and pain was often hard to listen to but was something, she felt, everyone could relate to on some level.

"When listening, treat it as a very classical piece in a language you don't know," said Gabrielian.

The opera by Handel brought the concert back to tonal harmonies, "so you can recover," said Gabrielian to which the audience laughed.

The mood and the music lightened in the second half with "Papillons" written by Robert Schumann and "Rhapsody in Blue" written by George Gershwin.

Gabrielian's fingers flew as Schumann's story of a fighter and a poet fighting over the same woman came to life. However this was just the warm up to what was to come with Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

Gabrielian explained that the piece was originally written for a full orchestra. Also when Gershwin recorded it, he had to double record it because it was impossible to play it all at once.

Gabrielian said she transcribed Gershwin's piano and orchestra part for one piano. Pointing to the solo piano on the stage, joked that she was cheaper on her own.

With fingers crossed, Gabrielian took her seat at the piano for the last piece of the concert and asked the audience to clap regardless of what happened.

The audience not only clapped but also was quick to their feet with a standing ovation. After returning to the stage three times, she obliged with one more song.

2 Valleys Stage Directory Samantha Arroyo said one of the things that she loves through the 2VS concert series is that she is exposed to music she wouldn't normally choose or like, specifically referring to Schinittke.

"But one thing I did get was an emotional response," said Arroyo to which everyone agreed. "There are parts of each piece that if you listen to, you can identify with. Art and music are one of those things that no one can tell you how to like, if you like it, how to feel or not to feel. So enjoy that as part of what we are bringing you."

Gabrielian spent the early part of the week giving informances at area schools. The opportunity to share her love of music to inspire the younger generation is just as much of a passion as performing on stage.

The next 2VS concert is Scott Kirby March 8 at 3 p.m.