Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums EVENTS! Piano Concerts, Recitals, Competitions, and Workshops Eric Himy Concert in Maine

Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the University of Maine in Farmington.

"Program of music by Gershwin, Ravel, Debussy and Liszt. Nordica Auditorium, UMF Merrill Hall. Adults $8, senior citizens $6, children under 16 FREE. Open to the public. Sponsored by Arts Institute of Western Maine.
For More Information
eMail: drscribner@verizon.net
Call: 207-778-7136
Visit: http://www.artsinstitute.org


Mr. Himy's latest CD's are Hommages to Liszt and Debussy recorded on the Steingraeber Concert Grand.

http://www.erichimy.com/cd.htm

Heard here on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4qmYUo4XzI

He is currently in Paris for a performance this Saturday, March 21.

There are already at least 3 PW members attending the Maine event and we would love to meet others that will be attending. It is rare that he appears in New England.

Ohhhhhh!!!! can't wait!!

New contact info:

Milton Kidd

207 645 3137

Tickets at the door. Parking on the street on lot behind Merritt Hall. Suggestion was to be there before 7 for the best seats.

Hope to see other members there!

The Review!

Having collected most of Eric’s CD’s which are all but worn out, it was with much anticipation that I traveled with 2 other PW friends to the Univerisity of Maine to experience an actual ‘live performance’!

Like many other concert pianists, Himy is technically flawless. But artistic interpretation is what I want to experience. And did. His honest exuberance. The spirit, flavor, tender lyrical sensitivity were there as well as virtuosity drama! I heard Eric's soul in each piece and his obvious deep ties with what he was playing. One with the piano and one with the music.

The music was a night of Gershwin and Debussy. My initial thought was 'what a contrast'. But before each group of pieces Eric’s shared the influences that Debussy (and other composers) had that could be heard within the Gershwin pieces and he played examples for us to relate.

Program:

Gershwin - An American in Paris

Debussy – Preludes – Danseuses de Delphes
La fille au cheveax de lin
Canope
Minstrels

Gershwin/Earl Wild - Lisa
Summertime
Fascinatin’ Rhythm
Somebody Loves Me
Who Cares?
I Got Rhythm

Debussy - Poisson d’or
L’ile joyeuse

Intermission

Debussy - Afternoon of a Faun (himy arr)

Gershwin - Three Preludes
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Andante con moto e poco rubato
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso

Debussy - La plus que lente, Valse pour piano
Golliwog’s Cakewalk

Liszt - Liebestraum No.3
Valse Mesphisto No 1


Encores - a Himy rendition of Chopin’s Minute Waltz dedicated to his former Composition Prof who was in attendance;
- Carmen – a tour de force rendition where we saw flames flying from the piano! “Steamy Himy” with all his virtuosity!!!

The setting was small, and the whole concert felt intimate with his ‘teachings’ and rapport with the audience. A surprise was that on stage was one of the few FALCONE CONCERT GRANDS that exists. Having met Santi at one of our PW parties, it was interesting to finally hear one!

An inspirational night to remember!

A special thank you to Lilylady for setting up our travel plans for this event and encouraging us to be in attendance for Eric Himy's concert. And to KathyK for opening her home for our stay. Sitting between two very special piano friends during a truly enjoyable concert is now another treasured memory in my PW adventures.

Eric was not only personable and engaging with the audiance but continued to be so with the after concert event. Special thanks to Milton for allowing us to attend a delightful after concert social at his home.

Love that crisp, cool green scarf, LL!!