Over 275 people attended the Strings from the Heart concert in Franklin Lakes this past Sunday. The event hosted by the Most Blessed Sacrament Church featured a duo of classical guitarists playing contrasting pieces by some of the world’s great composers as arranged for two guitars. The giants of music, Bach, Beethoven, Albeniz, Tarrega, Granados, were represented by two relatively young musicians.
Nicholas Giordano will celebrate his 13th birthday next week and has studied classical guitar since the age of 7 and in 2006 raised funds through a solo performance to benefit the Tomorrow’s Children Fund. Emily Piziak is a seventh grader who won the 2007 ASATA Solo Competition at the Walter Engle Festival. But if you closed your eyes, the only element missing would be the shock that such discipline and emotion could come from artists so young.
The recent event held to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, consisted of a two unique selections related to youth. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata seemed to be an audience favorite. This piece was originally written in honor of his young pupil Countess Giulietta Guicciardi with whom he fell in love. It is alleged that her parents forbade her to accept Beethoven’s marriage proposal. The original title “Quasi una fantasia”- almost a fantasy – was replaced in public consciousness by a music critic who claimed it reminded him of the reflected moonlight off Lake Lucerne
“Leyenda” by Issac Albeniz might hold a particular fondness for Nicholas Giordano who performed the piece solo. Described by some of the music teachers present as masterful beyond his years, Nicholas performed the work of a composer who also experienced significant success at a young age. As a pianist, Albeniz had given concerts worldwide by the time he was 15. “Leyenda” was originally written for piano, but it has become much more well known as a classical guitar piece. Albéniz himself once stated that he preferred many of the guitar transcriptions over his original piano works.
A meet the artists reception followed the performance. Joe Bezzone of Morristown described it as “unbelievable!” and most could not believe they were listening to two 12 year olds. But their professionalism and skill provided more than an enjoyable Sunday afternoon, welcoming to the world of classical music a generation of younger attendees. This, combined with an overall feeling of generosity, happiness and appreciation, brought a Sunday afternoon close to perfection.
Charles Oppler, owner of Classic Realty which sponsored the event, spoke first; he was followed by Merri Afgar of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, NJ spoke on behalf of the charity and the performers were introduced by Bishop Flesey of Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Other participants included The Guitar Center, Commerce Bank & The Hard Rock Cafe NYC who provided free giveaways at the event which raised $11,000 and counting as donations continue to come in. The plan is to soon adopt the wishes of two children from the New Jersey Make-A-Wish.
Photos courtesy of Cynthia Giordano