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Solo Piano in trendy Art Space
Studio

Solo Piano in trendy Art Space

North Beach, SF

Wed, February 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM, PST

Pay the musicians
Drinking policy
Bring your own drinks
Alcoholic drinks provided
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair Accessible

This is a groupmuse

A live concert in a living room, backyard, or another intimate space. They're casual and friendly, hosted by community members.

Host

Elektra Superhost

Pianist Ian Scarfe will inaugurate the series in our new Art Space. Enjoy solo piano music by Philip Glass and other Masters while enjoying the art by Peter Shaw and Mauro ffortissimo.

What's the music?

Edvard Grieg:
Suite “From Holberg’s Time” Op. 40
- Praeludium
- Sarabande
- Gavotte
- Air
- Rigaudon

Maurice Ravel
Suite “Le Tombeau de Couperin”
- Prèlude
- Forlane
- Rigaudon

Philip Glass
Suite from “Dracula Quartets” (arr. by Ian Scarfe)
- When the Dreams Come
- Seward Sanitarium
- Renfield in his Cell
- Or A Wolf
- Van Helsing and Dracula
- Mina's Bedroom
- The End of Dracula

Where does this music come from?

This program is high-risk, high-reward.

Grieg's "Holberg Suite" is well known by all high-school string players. The string-orchestra version was likely one of the first really dramatic works a violinist or cellist performed in their teenage years. It's full of romantic-era flair and virtuosity, and an emotional intensity that ranges far beyond its otherwise genteel facade of old-style French-baroque dances.
Grieg intended for this piece to be a kind of homage to the 17th century dance music of the early Baroque era, which makes it a fascinating piece of music for our ears. Grieg does an excellent job capturing the elegant baroque spirit, but his virtuosity and "romantic style" is never far behind. The version for solo-piano, which Grieg started with and performed himself many times, is chock full of the great "romantic virtuoso". It's fun to play, full of life and vigor, and, excepting the slow 4th movement "Air" - a very happy piece.

Which is important, because Philip Glass' music from the film DRACULA is nearly all in minor keys, and like a good horror film, is a masterpiece in managing and building tension throughout.

I first played Philip Glass' Dracula score in the "touring ensemble arrangement" made by Glass and fellow composer Michael Reisman for string quartet and two pianos. I'm not sure what possessed me to arrange it for solo piano - perhaps the vampire's supernatural charm has affected my mind as well!
My arrangement captures the loneliness and solitude of the undead Count Dracula's existence, the hypnotic charm that allows him to seduce his victims, and the urgency that builds toward the end of the film as the heroes confront Dracula.

Location

Exact address sent to approved attendees via email.

Comments (1)

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Attendees

Danielle N.
Jenefer B.
Thomas H. Groupmuse Superhost
+1
Daniel R.
Tane B.
Dan J.
+1
Holly T.
Nelda K.
Dan J.
Tim G.
Eric C.
Connie I.
+1
Shan J.