Pallavi Mahidhara Sets the Stage for the 2016 Competition

Friday night was a beautiful night in Milwaukee. As the sun began to set and the gentle breeze from the lake caressed the historic Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Sue Medford, PianoArts Founder, welcomed Ms. Mahidhara to the stage in the breathtaking Helen Bader Recital Hall.

Sue Medford challenged the audience "when you leave, you will feel like music changed your life." As she continued, she shared that she has known Ms. Mahidhara since she was 10 years old and that "through music, you make connections for the rest of your life." She also introduced the three members of the jury:



Ms. Mahidhara, splendidly dressed in a beautiful gown made from her mother's sari, began the recital with Chaconne in D minor from Violin Partita No. 2. Playing only with her left hand, she embodied the music. She continued with Maurice Ravel's "Night Moths", "Sad Birds", "A Boat on the Ocean", "Morning Song of the Jester" and "The Valley of the Bells". The deep connection with the music was displayed in the emotion and intensity in which she played. Her fingers danced and fluttered over the keys just as the moths flutter in the night sky.

Ms. Mahidhara finished the evening with Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S. 141, which are a series of six etudes for the piano by composer Franz Liszt. I watched as the 2016 semifinalists were captivated by her astounding technique as her dazzling performance and artistic versatility set the stage for the 2016 competition!