Graham McDonald welcomes members of the audience
The
Pentland Piano Festival attracted 63 participants to the stage in the
South Church Penicuik on Saturday 30 March for the third year of this
popular festival. The day sessions invited pianists of all ages
the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. With amazing acoustics, the main sanctuary resounded to the sounds of the Steinway grand specially moved in for the festival. Coupled
with a light show programmed by one of the players, Bastian Christen,
the stage was set for an outstanding day of music.
 An evening concert welcomed 27 of the players, who performed during the day, return to play their favourite pieces, to.entertain an audience of over a hundred people,
Festival
leader, organiser, music teacher, and accomplished pianist Graham
McDonald introduced the festival and welcomed players, their families
and guests to the event.
The day sessions were divided into the
different grades of players, all playing on a magnificent Steinway
Model B grand piano, brought in especially for the festival.
Starting
with beginners, many very young, yet to be able to reach the piano
pedals, just starting out on their piano playing experience.
Adjudicator Peter Antonelli MBE, himself an accomplished pianist,
provided feedback to the group offering encouragement in what for many
was their first public performance.
 The
day progressed through the grade 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, to
the highest 7 & 8. An advanced and open session followed.
After
each session Peter continued offering feedback with hints how to
prepare before starting to play, such as making sure the piano stool is
positioned in the optimum position, and relaxing to reduce the
inevitable nerves before a performance. Unlike a recording a live
performance cant be re-recorded, so any mistake will be noticeable.
Peter
told the players how to manage a mistake, as part of the art off live
performance, not to be overcome but to play through and carry on. No
two players will perform the same piece exactly the same, which is one
of the great features of playing music, of all styles.
Graham McDonald plays duet with Katy Lynch
Some
players teamed up with fellow pianists for the duet section, whilst
others played their own arrangements of well known pieces. We were
privileged to hear some play their own compositions.
 Twenty seven of the players returned in the evening to entertain us with a concert, playing their favourite pieces, covering a variety of musical themes, classical to film and musicals, as well as jazz.
The
festival attracted pianists from Penicuik, Midlothian, across the UK,
and Europe. The growing popularity of this event is shown through not
only the number and variation of the participants, but the audiences
that drop in through the day. The evening concert also attracts an
audience from a wide area in and around Penicuik, the Lothians,
and borders.
Organiser Graham McDonald announced further ideas
for future festivals to broaden the range of musical instruments in
addition to the piano. We watch this space with anticipation.
Players line up to receive the Asda donation, from their community fund
We
thank Asda, and Tesco for their financial sponsorship through their
community support schemes, and the volunteers who make this
spectacular venture a reality.
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