Ohio's 19th Pianorama was held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Gahanna Middle School West. Over 170 students from Central Ohio performed in this multiple piano ensemble event. Eleven of my students participated. Congratulations to them!
Level 1A: Carina, Paula & Riley
Level 2A: Bentley, Juliana & Mikala
Level 3B: Irene
Advanced Ensemble: MaryKate, Maya, Roberta & Robin
Pianorama evolves from a tradition that dates to the 18th and 19th centuries. Johann Sebastian Bach composed music for two, three and four harpsichords. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed for two pianos. In the 1820’s, it became stylish to hold concerts with three to six pianos with two pianists at each instrument. Frederic Chopin participated in a Parisian concert in 1831 that included six pianos. Franz Liszt also performed in a multiple piano concert in Milan in 1838. In America, “monster” concerts were developed during the late 1800’s. The opening ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics had a multiple piano concert.
The primary purpose of Pianorama is to give student pianists, who normally play as soloists, the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a large ensemble, and to learn the skills that come from this experience.
This event has been presented since 1977 by the Central East District of the Ohio Music Teachers Association, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of Music Teachers National Association.
