Unmasked virtuosity
Abriana Church & Enoria Lee
A thrilling journey featuring the music of virtuosic icons Liszt, Paganini, and more.
Date aired: December 5, 2020
This February, Glen Keane, one of Disney’s foremost animators, came to speak at my school. Besides sharing many heartwarming memories, one of the points he stressed was the division of art into two broad categories known as “sprezzatura” and “affectation.” Sprezzatura represents artistry which appears effortless to the beholder. Its complexity is disguised, or “veiled.” The best musical example I can think of is a Bach fugue in five voices. To the listener, a properly executed performance betrays the difficulty inherent within. One of my teachers reminisced about her days as a Juilliard student where she learned a new Bach prelude and fugue each week. One evening, she went on a date with a non-musician, who commented on how easy a five-part fugue sounded. They never dated again.
The emphasis of this concert is on affectation, the antithesis of sprezzatura. Unlike sprezzatura, affectation is designed to be big, bold, and most of all, wildly impressive. In the nineteenth century, the greatest hero of an emerging affectatious style was Franz Liszt. In “The Great Pianists,” Harold Schonberg writes, “As far as Europe was concerned, it was Liszt who freed the piano (GP, pg. 170).” Inspired by the violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, the cavalier young Hungarian sought to unmask the creative capabilities of the piano in a manner previously unheard of. The four etudes presented in the first half of the concert were written based off of Paganini violin caprices and exemplify a high level of showmanship and virtuosity. Between the rapid-fire Paganini Liszt Etudes, Enoria will clear the air with Seashell, a shiny miniature replete with effortless trills which, after frolicking loftily, glide down to the mermaid-like theme.
The second half of the concert on December 19th will be a globe-trotting experience. After starting at home with Stephen Foster’s American classic “I Dream of Jeannie” (arranged by legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz), we trek to the icy Soviet to hear the motoric, rhythmic drive of Sergei Prokofiev. Finally, the evening will end in the bullfighter’s arena where we are swept off our feet by the mad Spanish dances of Carmen violin fantasy.
Introduction to “Unmasked Virtuosity” with Gian and Martin Kauble
Performance with Abriana Church and Enoria Lee
Abriana’s Bio
Although born in Arizona, Abriana Church has lived in Idaho most of her life. Since starting piano at the age of six, Ms. Church has gone on to win numerous competitions, many of which helped pave the way for her blossoming performance career. After taking five Idaho state wins, she secured third prize in the 2016 MTNA Nationals held in San Antonio, TX. Other regional and local wins include first prize in the 2017 Salt Lake Piano Competition, the Meridian Symphony Rising Stars Competition, and the BPYO Concerto Competition which allowed her to perform the final movement of Mendelssohn’s Concerto No. I in G minor with each orchestra. She has since revisited the concerto in 2019 with The Master’s University Orchestra. Despite her success with competitions, Ms. Church finds the greatest amount of joy when sharing her music with eager concertgoers. She has given solo performances in Sun Valley, Portland, Washington, and California, including a joint concert with Dr. Indrek Laul, Juilliard doctorate and CEO and proprietor of Estonia Piano Factory. It was through her concerts in Portland that Abriana made a special connection with a piano teacher in Longview, WA, leading to a memorable series of concerts in a city with an exceptionally supportive audience. Ms. Church hopes to continue bringing classical music to people as either a concert pianist or professor of piano. More than anything, she loves to glorify her Savior through His wondrous gift of music. She is currently pursuing a degree in piano performance at The Master’s University where she enjoys wonderful instruction under the guidance of her beloved teacher, Dr. Kenneth Mays. More than anything, she loves to glorify her Savior through His wondrous gift of music and is currently pursuing a degree in piano performance at The Master’s University. In the coming months, Abriana will be performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Culver City Symphony.
Enoria’s Bio
Enoria Lee was born in China, and was raised to appreciate Christian Hymns. Music became part of her life when she started playing violin at 5. Under Mr. Jiawei Ma’s teaching, she participated in many string/music competitions in China, such as the 2014 CCTV piano and violin competition, Honorary Award; 2016 American Music Legacy Open Competition in China Final, Gold Award… In 2019, she had the opportunity to use her violin in service to several conferences, such as the Shepherd Conference, Truth & Life Conference, as well as the Sing! Conference alongside with Keith & Kristyn Getty. Currently, she is pursuing a BM degree in Violin Performance at the Master’s University under the instruction of Mr. Michael Ferril. She hopes to use music to glorify the Lord as well as to serve others by sharing God’s love, grace, and greatness through what God has been gifted her.
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