Two East Kootenay-raised pianists will return to Cranbrook next month for a one-off recital.
Emily Grieve of Cranbrook and Jesse Plessis of Sparwood met at the University of Lethbridge while pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree.
A few years after graduating, the pair of East Kootenay classical pianists will reunite for a series of concerts in B.C., including one at Cranbrook United Church on August 20 at 7 p.m.
"Emily will be playing some works by Bach and a piece by Liszt called "Un Sospiro" ("Sigh") which is a very difficult and famous virtuoso piece," Jesse explained.
"I'm going to play Book II of the "Preludes" by Claude Debussy – our concert is just two days from his birthday – which is a collection of 12 very stunning piano pieces which touch on many varied subjects, mostly fantastic and childhood-themes like Peter Pan, clowns, mermaids, ancient Egypt, and fireworks.
"I'm also going to to play the Op. 119 Piano Pieces by Johannes Brahms. When I was in grades 10 and 11 I studied with a teacher in Kimberley named Arne Sahlen, and he loved Brahms so much. In every lesson he was talking about Brahms so often, about how he's the perfect mixture of intuition and craftsmanship. In those lessons I assimilated that love of Brahms, and the Op. 119 Piano Pieces represent one of the highest pinnacles of music for me," said Jesse.
Since graduating from the University of Lethbridge, Emily and Jesse have gone their separate ways. Emily teaches at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music in Edmonton, and works as an accompanist.
Jesse just finished a Master of Music at Brandon University in Manitoba. He is presently studying under prominent pianists Norma Fisher at the Royal College of Music in London.
The concert is open to all; admission is by donation.