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Pianos were dueling June 2 in Harbeson Hall for the annual piano ensembles concert. The night included performances from PCC’s Ivory Rose and La Majeur quartets, recent winners at the 2012 International Six/Eight Hand piano competition in Bavaria, Germany.

         The theme of the program was Carmen, with opening and closing pieces from the famous Bizet opera. In between, classical and contemporary works were performed that represented the story arcs of Michaela, Don Jose, and Carmen herself, the opera’s three main characters.

         The relationship between the works was fairly loose, but they were played in such a way to invoke wonderment from the audience.

         Many of the numbers were performed with two players on each piano, playing with perfect rhythm and timing. Director Phillip Young summed up the difficulty involved. “There is no margin for error. If the two players aren’t perfectly in sync, the audience will know,” he said. 

         Pianist’s movements were like a well-choreographed dance as hands and arms crossed over and under one another without touching. 

         Veteran player Siyang Deng who masterfully performed Aaron Copland’s The Open Prairie, described what the practice process was like. “We met with our partners twice a week for two hours for the whole semester,” he said. 

         Winnie Rivai, economics, and Sophia Rani, art, attended, and liked what they heard. “I thought they were really great,” said Rivai. “My favorite piece was Michelangelo 70,” said Rani, referring to the Piazzolla work performed by Sally Emelia and Bee Pitakamonpan.

         The piano ensembles’ particular playing style is something to be seen as well as heard. The thrill of watching such artistry can be compared to seeing an acrobat or gymnast, but with those you don’t get the bonus of some of the best piano playing in the world.

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