Young piano enthusiasts

Mehjabeen Rahman with the students of Ecole de Musique at the Fete de la Musique.

Talking about the basis on which she had selected the pieces for the day, Rahman said, "It was based on technique. Aditya, for instance, has played for almost four years with me and has developed the ability of sight reading. He also understands the notes. For him I've chosen Chopin pieces such as the waltz from the Brown index. Fete de la Musique is music for all and is not a formality and so we had classical, semi classical and light music. For Tawfique I chose Charles Gounod's 'Faust' and 'Ballad for Adelin' which is played in the Richard layderman style. I chose it because it is popular and a relaxing piece. The little ones, like Sadia Zaman, were playing pieces like 'Joyful, joyful' from Beethoven while Otonu Boruwa, who has been learning for only two months, played 'Twinkle twinkle little star' by Mozart. Deel Farzana is playing a hymn 'Should old acquaintances be forgotten' as well as 'Traumarai' by Schubert."

Touching on the subject of the demand for piano music in Bangladesh, Rahman said, "There is an increase in the demand of the well-to-do to have their children playing the piano as it is not easy to afford, since the musical instrument has to be rented or bought apart from the tuition fees." Asked how she came into piano music herself, Rahman said, "I had my own training at the Dhaka International School with Korean teachers. I take part in church concerts as often as possible. Now I'm learning the flute."

"I played four pieces", said Aditya. "The first being a minuet in G by Bach, while the other three are by Chopin, the first being a waltz Opus 18, waltz Opus 69 and a waltz from the Brown index. My teacher chose the pieces for me. It was my father who encouraged me to go into piano playing. At home my people tend to be culturally inclined. As my house is close by I can give time to my music quite easily despite my school routine. I've my own piano at home and this proves to be a great help."

Deel Farzana said, "I was interested in music for quite some time. I used to play the keyboard and performed at several musical programmes before at the Mahila Samity and Guide House. I had played at four concerts at Alliance Francaise as well. I've completed my masters in Anthropology and hope to study at the Asian Institute of Technology at Bangkok. At performances I tend to be nervous but this is because I want to perform well."

"It is my mother who is behind my learning the piano.",

says Sadia Zaman, who is not yet nine. I enjoy it and come here thrice a week to practice. "I've been learning for two years and I've kept it a secret from my friends."

Taufiqur Rahman Khan said, "Although I have a busy schedule as an architect, I believe that if someone has a passion for something time for that can always be carved out. I used to play the Spanish guitar for two years when there was a session jam at BUET. I find the piano soothing and so am drawn to it. I played 'Faust' by Gounod and 'Ballad for Adelin' by Paul de Senniville. I've now been playing the piano for two and a half years and on an average I play for two hours a day. When I don't have projects to work on I devote the spare time to my piano. I enjoy the environment at Ecole de Musique and our teacher is very encouraging. I believe that the importance of music in our lives is unquestionable. For the young ones it develops the sense of aesthetics and for adults for myself it is very tranquilizing."

Talking to the participants of the piano concert one learnt of the circumstances that made the young musicians the eager enthusiasts that they are for concerts.