The Easter Special 40 Fingers Piano Concert is taking place on Sunday, April 9 at Quintinha da Música, near Tavira, at 5pm.
One of the highlights of the programme of classical music is the arrival of three pianists from Holland – Inge Lulofs, Marlies van Gent and Frank Fahner – to join with Algarve-based Irene Ainstein for an action-packed extravaganza at the pianoforte(s). They will be playing music from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, J.S. Bach’s St Matthews Passion, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, Brubeck’s Points on Jazz, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance and Brahms’ Hungarian Dances.
Inge Lulofs works with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, where she plays piano and celesta, and is the accompanist for all auditions. She holds a Performance Diploma (1985) from the Conservatory in Enschede, The Netherlands. From its founding in 1988, she is part of the Valerius Ensemble, which consists mainly of musicians from the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra and regularly works with national and international soloists. As a piano teacher, Inge works at a music school in Nordhorn (Germany). In Enschede, she also works as a private piano instructor through her own studio.
Marlies van Gent was born in Rotterdam and began her musical education at the local Conservatory. She continued at the Amsterdam Conservatory under Jan Wijn, under Ton Demmers at Tilburg, Jacques de Tiège in Antwerp and finished her formal education with Jevgenia Braginski Yarmonenka in Brussels. As a professional pianist she gives workshops and participates in many national and international competitions as a member of the judging panel. She is also in demand as a performer in chamber music concerts and is a member of a piano duo performing four-hands pieces. Since 1994, she has taught at the Young Talent Department of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and directs a class of talented young pianists.
English-born Irene Ainstein won first prize in a Competition for Young Musicians after only a year of piano study. After the conclusion of high school, she entered the superior school Twents Conservatorium where she obtained diplomas in Chamber Music, and as accompanist and soloist. Irene has played in a number of ensembles and orchestras and has performed in Holland, Germany, England and China. Irene teaches at the Conservatório Regional in Faro and continues to perform in concerts with members of the Algarve Orchestra, with Michael Thomas of the Brodsky Quartet and with several singers as their accompanist of choice.
Frank Fahner studied piano at the Twents Conservatory in Enschede with Johan Jansonius and continued at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Frank is a well-known accompanist for solo singers and choirs, and he is also renowned as the pianist member of chamber music ensembles. He has also played previously in Portugal in piano quartets. As well as teaching piano to young people and preparing them for competitions and examinations, Frank has also specialised in teaching adults.
Quintinha da Música is located in Covas de Prata near Santo Estevão, Tavira.
Tickets are €25. For more information or to book tickets, email [email protected]
