A night to remember - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 with the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra

April 21, 2018 Red Deer College Arts Center

My heart is still throbbing with emotion. 

It's always been a huge dream for me to perform Rachmaninoff's concertos. Rachmaninoff's music is so close to my heart. It's at the height of that passionate, Russian, post-romantic expression, so expansive and lush in its sonorities, so powerful and grand, unapologetically sentimental. The third concerto is one that always brings me to tears, particularly the coda in the last movement - just when you think the music can't possibly become anymore intense or emotional, Rachmaninoff stretches and pushes the climax even further. To perform this masterpiece finally with a full orchestra, it was such a privilege. I felt so overwhelmed by passion and excitement. I was exhilarated to be onstage. This is exactly where I want to be. Exactly what I want to be doing. 

I really can’t put to words how much I love sharing music, how much it means to me. I am so grateful. Thank you to such a warm and supportive orchestra, thank you Claude for this opportunity, for this special, memorable, passionate collaboration. Thank you, Rachmaninoff.