The year of piano mania

Time seems to have become our most precious resource and yet nobody can seem to get enough of it. I recently came across a Facebook status update that read: “I can’t wait to be time-wealthy”. This made me think about the year that was 2014 and ask the question if I achieved everything I promised fans and more importantly promised myself in this mad musical world I work in.

Looking back I am so grateful I could make launch the 10 Chair Tour gain popular interest and get music lovers involved in my search for that missing letter. The fact that the letter remains unclaimed inevitably makes me consider a re-visit of this concept in the future. My partnership with Ian Burgess-Simpson pianos instantly became an almost addictive collaboration in this endeavor and is now part of my core business plan for the future. I learned so much and continue to do so – mostly on a musical level and getting to know my own strengths. Sampling my first taste of a solo tour has left me wanting more.

Concerto performances and international tours with my trio made up some of the most fun filled musical experiences in 2014. I was most pleased to have had the support of Francesco Walter at Musikdorf Ernen with the launch of our Baroqueswing album. This latest disc has been accepted for a Sama-award nomination and I await the results with anticipation. Next year we will tour with this programme to the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape as well as Free State in some venues we have never performed before.
2014 was my fifteenth year as Nataniël’s accompanist and I enjoy every show more than the previous one. We had over 100 concerts over the past 12 months and his output of creativity on stage seem to have to end and inspire me constantly.

Without the dedicated support of fans in the concert hall, theatre and in the digital realm my pursuit of pianistic expression would be pointless. I want to thank each and every fan for their continued support in 2014 and look forward to a year with many contrasts and even more new musical discoveries.

Merry Christmas and see you in 2015!

Charl