August 2024, Sydney — In just five months, Concerts for All (CFA) progressed from inception to hosting its first Young Maestros Gala Concert at the Sydney Opera House. The event featured eight young musicians, each chosen for their outstanding performances at CFA's local, donation-based concerts throughout Sydney. They made a remarkable leap: from playing for audiences of 50 in community spaces to gracing the Opera House's stage in a matter of weeks. To add to the event's brilliance, they were joined by esteemed concert artists Daniel Rojas and Elen Rapoport.
Spotlight on the Young Maestros
It was a diverse program that uniquely showcased the piano, violin, cello, harp, and marimba. The youngest among the performers, Kathy Piao, who just turned 7, opened with a captivating Chopin waltz, followed by Ethan Lu's sweeping Rachmaninoff prelude. These two young pianists were followed by two less common instruments for solo performances, with Justin Gao on the marimba and Audrey Chan on the pedal harp.
After such impressive warm timbres, Alexandra Huang ushered in sombre tones with her poignant interpretation of the 1st movement of Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor. The atmosphere soon softened into a serene nostalgia when Erica Zhu performed Glinka's The Lark, with its lyrical melodies and flowing arpeggios. What followed was another welcome contrast: violinist Simon Luo performed a stately polonaise that, with his virtuosic display, elicited a resounding applause. Finally, to conclude the first half of the program, Emma Rose Koeswandy's spirited rendition of Granados' Spanish waltzes transported the audience to the lively streets of Spain.
Concerts for All Gala Concert Programme
First Half: Young Maestros
Kathy Piao (Piano, 7 years old)
Chopin: Minute Waltz Op. 64 No. 1
Ethan Lu (Piano, 8 years old)
Rachmaninov: Prelude, Op. 32 No. 12 in G-sharp minor
Justin Gao (Marimba, 13 years old)
Kopetzki: Bottom Line
Audrey Chan (Harp, 14 years old)
Naderman: Allegro Moderato Fieramente, 1st movement from Sonatina No. 3
Alexandra Huang (Cello, 10 years old)
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, 1st movement
Erica Zhu (Piano, 12 years old)
Glinka-Balakirev: The Lark
Simon Luo (Violin, 10 years old)
Wieniawski: Polonaise de concert No.1 in D major, Op.4
Emma Rose Koeswandy (Piano, 13 years old)
Enrique Granados: Valses Poeticos
Interval
Second Half: Guest Pianists
Elen Rapoport
Rachmaninov: Prelude C-sharp minor Op. 3, No. 2
Daniel Rojas
Daniel Rojas: SalTango
Daniel Rojas & Elen Rapoport
Improvisations from audience-given notes and scenes
Music Making with Daniel Rojas and Elen Rapoport
For the second half of the event, the guest artists took centre stage, offering a display of virtuosic skill and immense creativity worthy of emulation by the young maestros.
As soon as everyone was back in their seats, Elen Rapoport mesmerised the audience with a fascinating introduction and nuanced performance of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor Op. 3 No. 2. Her rendition was a rich tapestry of tones and emotional depth. Daniel Rojas soon followed and swept the audience away with a contrasting lively SalTango. The exciting rhythms invigorated the audience and prepared them for the program's anticipated segment: improvisations.
Elen returned to the stage, microphone in hand, asking the audience for musical notes to improvise on. The audience eagerly shouted back random notes as Elen scribbled them down on a sheet of paper: A, B♭, C, and so on. With that, she sat at the piano and began her improvisation. Starting with shorter phrases, it gradually evolved into various rhythms, growing in technical complexity.
Daniel followed suit with his own improvisation. After a brief introduction, he welcomed the audience into his creative space, explaining that the music he was about to perform would be spontaneous, drawing inspiration from the moment. His improvisation featured flowing melodies and rich harmonies, exploring emotions and rhythms with masterful skill.
Parting Words, A Call to Listen, and the Final Bow
Truly engaging with music through deep, active listening is the secret that sparks inspiration and allows for the creativity we witnessed today.
As the improvisations concluded, Concerts for All's director, Yichao Ma, took to the stage. After expressing heartfelt gratitude to the performers and acknowledging those who made the event possible, she shared the organisation's cause and initiatives.
Central to her message was the introduction of the 1 Hour a Day music listening campaign. Yichao presented this initiative as a solution to fill the gap in today's music education, emphasising its potential to deepen students' engagement with music.
"Truly engaging with music through deep, active listening is the secret that sparks inspiration and allows for the creativity we witnessed today," she explained. To illustrate her point, she asked the audience, "If you wanted to learn Chinese Opera or the Aboriginal didgeridoo, wouldn't you immerse yourself by listening and watching performances all the time, alongside daily practice and weekly lessons?"
Encouraging further engagement, she guided attendees to the organisation's website, where they could find an array of free resources including playlists and materials for music appreciation.
As she concluded, Yichao underscored the vital role of community support. "Together, we can make a lasting impact on music education and inspire a new generation of music lovers," she affirmed, outlining various ways for the audience to get involved.
The evening culminated in a fitting finale, with all performers returning to the stage for a final bow, bringing the inaugural Young Maestros Gala Concert to a close.
About the Guest Artists
Daniel Rojas is a South American-born Australian pianist, composer and associate professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, known for his captivating performances and specialising in the rich, vibrant, Latin American musical aesthetic. Elen Rapoport is a passionate Russian concert pianist and dedicated teacher with extensive international experience, celebrated for her extraordinary stage presence and improvisational flair.
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