Review by Joyce Wilson
“What would happen if Rachmaninoff played together with Harlem’s Art Tatum?” A piano tour de force imagined by award-winning classical pianist Godwin Friesen and platinum-selling jazz pianist Attila Fias. And this was just one of the outstanding performances Soulpepper’s audience was treated to on the opening night. An original Soulpepper show three years in the making, “88 Keys” is a must-see (and hear).
(l to r) Godwin Friesen, Bill King and Mike Ross,
Its combination of …
- Tom Allen’s well-written (and delivered) narrative, which gave listeners to some fascinating musical history;
- talented artists, who performed a range of songs from Freddie Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Scott Joplin’s “Solace”/”Wrong Is Never Right” to Carol King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” and George and Ira Gershwin’s “How Long Has This Been Going On”; and
- a stage featuring three pianos framed by imaginative visuals on each side left attendees eager for more.
One performance that was especially inspiring was Meher Pavris’s operatic interpretation of “Clair de Lune” with Jeni Thai Nolan and Andrew Downing.
Another was Mike Ross’s foot-stomping rendition of Billy’s Joel’s “Angry Young Man”.
Divine Brown really took Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” to its peak.
Bill King and Mike Ross gave blues icon Willie Dixon’s “Seventh Son” an energetic spin.
Music by classical composers included works by Mozart, Brahms, and Beethoven.
And speaking of classical music … Apparently, Bach hated the harpsichord, but his kids loved it.
If you want a great musical experience, don’t miss this 88 Keys show.
Reviewed by Joyce Wilson
