Pianist evokes Romantic era genius
Galera-Lopez enthralls at sold-out Classics at the Castle
ANTONIO Galera-Lopez, an extraordinary pianist from the coast of Valencia in Spain, presented a set of Romantic compositions to a sold-out Classics at the Castle last Friday evening.
“It’s good to sit down and let music engulf you,” said Classics at the Castle organiser Sue Gordon. “We were sold out fo the concert within three days!” Galera-Lopez’s set comprised compositions from classical composers like Chopin, Manuelle de Fella and Enrique Granados, each of whom he seems to invoke when he plays. “All the composers we know admired someone before them,” Galera-Lopez said. “Music is a legacy from one composer to another. This kind of legacy is very curious.” Characterised as emotional and transcendental, the compositions from the Romantic Era are passionate and intensely filled with deep sentiment. Magical serendipity filled the air from the beginning, where the gently rising Nocturno (Chopin, 1899) cast a beautiful enchantment of love on the audience on their sweet and playful journey. Galera-Lopez nods while he plays, almost conversing with the piano, leading audience members through an array of expressive sensations. On Friday evening, his fingertips danced over the keyboard as he put his soul into every emotion, honouring the legacy of the composers he featured. A spirit definitely channelled by Galera-Lopez was that of Granados, a Spanish Romantic composer. One song in particular, El Amor y la Muerte, (translated as Love and Death) was an especially emotional delivery as Galera-Lopez retold the tale of passion and sensuality. Once captivated by El Amor y la Muerte, the audience was lead to a climatic sense of otherworldliness.
This history of musical genius was invoked at the Richmond House music room, channelled exceptionally by Galera-Lopez.
Galera-Lopez, 32, however, feels confident in playing compositions beyond the Romantic era.
“I’ve been playing piano all my life, since I was small,” Galera-Lopez said.
“I play all kinds of music. [With] this set, I wanted to make a relationship of Spanish Romantics and Chopin.”
The evening presented another successful Classics at the Castle event, which celebrates its 10th birthday this year.
“Every concert is special for various reasons,” Gordon said. “Why this one is so important is because it’s been ten years since we’ve started doing this.
“We’ll have balloons at the next one,” Gordon enthused.