Pianist Roman Rudnytsky journeys to Southeast Asia (03/14/04)

Pianist Roman Rudnytsky journeys to Southeast Asia

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, Borneo - Concert pianist Roman Rudnytsky, who was on a concert tour in Southeast Asia between February 27 and March 13, performed on Sunday, February 29, a short recital for members of the royal family of the Islamic Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. This took place one day after his regular recital for the Brunei Music Society in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Mr. Rudnytsky received the invitation to do this through a local piano teacher, Ms. Siti Azra, with whom Mr. Rudnytsky has been acquainted for over 20 years during past Brunei recital visits. Ms. Azra, who maintains a thriving piano studio in Bandar Seri Begawan, also teaches the children of the ruling Sultan's brother.

She wanted Mr. Rudnytsky to accompany her to the palace of the Sultan's brother to play for the children: a prince, age 12, and two princesses, age 11 and 13, since she said they are somewhat lazy in their piano practicing. She also wanted him to perform for them so that they would hear "what a piano really can sound like."

This palace of the Sultan's brother stands on the grounds of the main palace of the ruling Sultan - the Istana Nurul Iman - which is the largest residential palace in the world (about 1,700 rooms).

Mr. Rudnytsky and Ms. Azra were ushered into the very large Music Room and this is where the performance took place, on a Kawai grand piano situated there. Mr. Rudnytsky performed Gottschalk's "The Banjo" and Chopin's Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4.

He then spoke to the royal children about the necessity of hard work and discipline in practicing. The children were very attentive and enjoyed the performance and appeared to take these comments to heart.

Ms. Azra explained that it was good for the children to hear these comments from someone other than their music teacher. She said they had never seen or heard piano playing of this level before.

Mr. Rudnytsky noticed that one note on the Kawai grand was inoperable - it was jammed. Ms. Azra told him that apparently the young prince likes to "bang" and "pound" on the piano and that this likely was the cause.

Afterwards, Mr. Rudnytsky and Ms. Azra were treated to a nice lunch in another room of the palace.

| Home Page |