Pianoland

VARIATIONS: Pianist and music teacher Sean Scanlen has composed a work he will perform as part of the upcoming Piano Extravaganza XI's eclectic programme.File picture

Variations on a Nursery Tune, a work that combines variations on a well-known piece with phrasing heavily borrowed from other famous works, heralds pianist and Lytton High music teacher, Sean Scanlen's Piano Extravaganza debut.

“At times I think I was rather clever — there's some counterpoint I'm proud of,” says Scanlen of his composition.

“But even if it's not completely silly, it's certainly just something I wrote for a bit of fun.”

Written for eight hands at two pianos, Variations on a Nursery Tune will be performed by Scanlen, Catherine Macdonald, Coralie Hunter and Trish Tattle.

Other pianists to play at the Queen's Birthday concert are Bronwen Holdsworth, Samantha Holdsworth, Isaac Hughes and Beverley Peach.

Students with cool names — Sabine Lapointe, Willow Lawton, Rikki Noble and Sophie Roseman —– will also perform but on two, three, four, and even more, pianos.

The programme is as eclectic as ever. It opens with Purcell's Two Trumpet Tunes and closes with a performance of the perennial favourite, Country Gardens by Percy Grainger.

The programme also includes Gershwin's I Got Plenty o' Nuttin from the opera Porgy and Bess, Schubert's Standchen (Serenade), Battle Hymn of the Republic William Steffe, Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King Grieg and much more.

Piano Extravaganza XI, presented as part of the St Andrew's Lunchtime Concert Series, St Andrew's Church, Queen's Birthday, Monday, June 7, 12.30pm. Admission free or koha for performers and piano maintenance fund.