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The Concert Pianist |
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Christina has collaborated with author Conrad Williams
on several very successful occasions. Conrad's novel "The
Concert Pianist" was published by Bloomsbury in July
06 and has been re-issued in paperback in summer 07. Readings
by the author are interspersed with performances of piano music
by Brahms, Chopin and Rachmaninov.
Rye Festival on 9th September 06
Crear, Argyll on 27th January
07,
Cheltenham Festival on 8th July
07,
Whitstable
Oyster Festival on 21st July 07
Wigtown Book Festival at the Swallow
Theatre on 30th September 07
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Philip Morahan is a great pianist who cannot play the piano.
A record deal looms, a recital series is nigh, but Philip can
barely look at the instrument. For suddenly it seems as though
the sacrifices he has made in the name of his art have cost
too much. At fifty two he is single, childless, wretchedly alone.
Music has kept him from life. When a bad review calls even his
achievement as a pianist into question, he is in freefall.
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In the turmoil that follows, Philip’s quest to reconcile
the needs of the man and the compulsions of the musician leads
to a headlong unravelling, comic in its indignity. He is thoroughly
deconstructed by ex-girlfriends, challenged by his protégé,
all but tortured by his agent – mere preparation for
the real task. To recover the power of his talent, and the
capacity for love, Philip must first draw close to the central
tragedy of his life.
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The Concert Pianist is a profound and gripping study of
the emotional life of a great pianist, and of the ‘seam
between the soul and the art’.
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Conrad Williams was born in Winnipeg and lives in Willesden
with his wife and two children. He read English and Law at Cambridge,
qualified as a barrister and now works as a film agent. His
first novel, Sex & Genius, was published by Bloomsbury in
2002. |
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From Musical Opinion, Nov-Dec 06. "The tiny Cinque Port town of Rye in East Sussex was seriously
awash with talent during their festival which ran from 2 to
17 September. Their classical output included a hybrid affair
on 9 September when author Conrad Williams read transcripts
from his recently published book The Concert Pianist,
partnered by Scottish pianist Christina Lawrie. There was
a full house at Rye's Methodist Church for this 11am event:
the morning light gave a burnished gloss to Christina Lawrie's
Bosendorfer: It felt odd being at a concert in the daytime.
Conrad Williams' mellifluous voice painted an opening chapter
called The Fire filled with tragedy and despair.
This was matched by Rachmaninov's sombre Moment Musicaux
in E Flat minor; elegantly played by Lawrie. The event continued
with more readings partnered by mood matching music. Christina
Lawrie conveyed each with sensitivity and panache.
Finally Williams read the chapter dealing with the book's
pianist's reborn ability to play; called Last Concert:
Resurrection and Lawrie played the Finale from Chopin's
Sonata in B minor Opus 58 with passion and verve. This was
a quality recital from two talented people uniting different
art forms. Judith Monk |
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