Having got off to a flying start, Rye Arts Festival is about to enter its second week with a mix of films, talks, drama and music. And keyboards figure prominently.
On Sunday September 22 the young Kenyan pianist Teddy Otieno, who recently starred in the Piano on TV, will be giving a classical music concert at St Mary’s church in Rye. This young man’s story is amazing. Born and brought up in poverty in Nairobi he taught himself to play the piano by making his own keyboard out of cardboard and then watching videos. Discovered by the British pianist Cordelia Williams whilst she was living in Kenya during the pandemic, she mentored him and he won a place at the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he is still studying. Come and see a wonderfully talented individual who is succeeding against all the odds!
On Tuesday September 24 the young Lithuanian pianist Gabriele Sutkute will be giving a recital, also in St Mary’s Church. The festival has brought her back after her concert at last year’s festival which left the audience spell-bound by her artistry. And she has received rave reviews after her concerts in London and around the country. She is a rare talent to be treasured and, most importantly, to be seen.
These two classical music concerts bookend a pianola performance on September 23 in St Mary’s church by Rye’s very own, mayor emeritus, Mike Boyd. Mike, who also wowed his audience last year with a performance of largely classical music, is switching to jazz for this year’s not-to-be-missed performance! This year is the centenary of Rhapsody in Blue, and Mike will offer the rare treat for the audience to listen to the composer, Gershwin himself playing this jazz standard by the magic of the Duo-Art piano roll. Mike will also entertain the audience with rolls of music recorded by such jazz greats as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and others, but all interpreted at the pianola by the local pianola and repeating piano specialist!
On Saturday September 28, the BBC TV‘s The Repair Shop resident organ repairer David Burville, will talk about his lifelong love of and work with organs from mechanical organs that travel steam fairs to statis church organs. You can be assured that he will pull out all the stops in his musical journey.
Check out www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk for more information about all the dozens of events still to go in the Festival and to book tickets.
Image Credits: KT Bruce , Rye Arts Festival .