By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Piano concerts are a common occurrence and certainly having two pianists share the stage is not unusual. But what about two pianists sharing one piano? Now that is something new.
Santa Fe musician Natasha Stojanovska’s and featured artist Heejin An’s concert at noon April 28 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe will showcase works by Brahms, Bach, Liszt and others using one piano and four hands.
An explained this novel way of performing the music will enhance it.
“Piano is often known as the only instrument that is capable of imitating all kinds of sounds,” she said. “With four hands, it uses wider registers … to produce even grander sounds and (bring to mind) a variety of colors.”
Playing this way in a venue that is as historic and grand as the Cathedral Basilica will only add to the opulent sounds, An added.
Stojanovska agreed, saying, “the effect will be more grandiose.”
Not only will it be grandiose but the audience will be treated to a range of emotions. An described the first half of the program as “quiet, lyrical and calm.” Whereas the second half will be “exciting and technically challenging.”
“People will be coming in and enjoy the first half with very inviting music and leave with lots of excitement,” she said.
An explained the two will switch positions on the piano bench – alternating who will play the higher registers and who will play the lower ones.
The pianists met while attending doctoral school at Northwestern University in Chicago in 2015, Stojanovska explained. They took a master class by Emanuel Ax, one of the most renowned and celebrated pianists in the world.
Although the two have each performed extensively, this is the first time they have had the chance to share the stage together, she said.
An said the opportunity arose because she was invited to be a judge at the Professional Music Teachers New Mexico’s performance evaluation program in Albuquerque. Stojanovska, who resides in Santa Fe, decided this was the perfect chance to host a concert together.
An said the chance to collaborate is something they are both looking forward to doing.
An, who is originally from South Korea, said she started playing the piano at age 3. An gave her first recital at the age of 10 after winning the Kumho Young Artist Auditions in Seoul. She has subsequently been a finalist at the New York International Competition, as well as receiving top prizes from the Korea
Times Competition, Eum-Yeon Competition, Music Journal Competition, and Chopin Piano Competition in Korea She also earned a bachelor’s and master’s from Juilliard School as well as her doctoral degree from Northwestern University, where she teaches.
Stojanovska grew up in Macedonia. At age 8 she became interested in playing the piano. In addition to her doctoral degree from Northwestern University, she earned her master’s degree from Indiana University. Stojanovska has toured extensively around the world. Her debut album, “Uncommon Voices”, earned positive reviews by Take Effect, Music Web and Sequenza21; as well as air-played by numerous radio stations including WRUV 90.1 FM, Vermont and “Classical Discoveries” WPRB 103.3 FM, Princeton. Her upcoming album, “Uncommon Voices, Part II: American Women Composers”, is due for a release in December and it will be partially sponsored by the Chicago’s Musicians Club of Women.
Tickets for their concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the church. Tickets maybe purchased at the door or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/piano-duo-concert-in-santa-fe-heejin-an-and-natasha-stojanovska-tickets-618228436897
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