Delicate, gentle and graceful fingers were flying over the keyboard as butterflies over flowers, as the beautiful classical music was filling the Estevan St. Paul鈥檚 United Church. Leah Macfarlane held a piano recital on May 26.
A talented 17-years-old pianist who lives in Carnduff played nine compositions including pieces by Eckhardt-Gramatte, Debussy, Liszt, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Rachmaninov. All compositions had a different charming story to tell, but Liebestraum No. 3 by Liszt and Etude Tableaux Op. 33 No. 8 by Rachmaninov were marked as聽聽Macfarlane鈥檚 favourites.聽
鈥淚 like romantic composers a lot and I also like more lyrical pieces,鈥� said Macfarlane.聽
She also noted that she had no idea how much of a workout was Liszt鈥檚 piece until her teacher introduced her to it, and then she ended up loving it.聽
Macfarlane soon will have her exams in Brandon, Manitoba, and also will participate in provincials in Moose Jaw. The Sunday recital was an opportunity for her to practice and showcase her program in front of the public.聽
鈥淕etting to play on the really nice piano is always fun with all the people there. It鈥檚 always cool to experience that,鈥� said Macfarlane.
The instrument plays a big role in performance. Usually, Macfarlane practices on an upright piano, and she always enjoys when she gets a chance to play as professional pianists using a grand piano.聽
鈥淚t really affects the sound of each of the pieces. It鈥檚 nice to play on a different piano,鈥� said Macfarlane.聽
Over 50 people came from Carnduff, Oxbow, Estevan and area to join Macfarlane for the beautiful musical journey through centuries and stories, created by the great composer and retold by the young musician. The recital went well, and as Macfarlane defined, 鈥渋t was fun.鈥� Her teacher, Larysa Arkhypova, who was present at the recital, was proud of her student and was very happy with how everything went.聽
At the provincials, Macfarlane will play four out of nine pieces, and she will use seven out of nine for her exam. Both upcoming events bring up her emotions.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited. And I鈥檓 obviously a little nervous鈥� It鈥檚 a good thing to get feedback from other people and at provincials to hear what everyone else is playing and to get inspired by other people,鈥� Macfarlane noted.聽
She admitted that exam makes her feel more stressed, but the Estevan performance, which was very beautiful, inspiring and was played very clean, made the audience believe that she will do great at both events.聽
