The owners of Fairlight Hall generously opened their gardens for a Summer Picnic Recital on Sunday, July 1, to raise funds for the 2019 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition (HIPCC). The Fairlight Arts Trust had invited Russian pianist Roman Kosyakov, winner of the 2018 HIPCC, to play in the concert hall in the grounds. He performed an exciting programme of Schubert’s 4 Impromptus, Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Sonata. The talented 25-year-old pianist played with gentleness or great energy depending on the piece.
He was born in Kiselevsk, Siberia to a musical family and made his debut with an orchestra at the age of 12. He graduated from the Central Music school of Moscow and is now studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatory. His playing was mesmerising and one was not surprised that he is a laureate and winner of many national and international competitions.
What made the afternoon even more special was the option to arrive before the beginning of the concert at 2pm and have a picnic in the grounds. It had comfortable chairs and tables dotted around for people to use. There was a bar providing fresh Pimm’s and coffee. The grounds were exceptional, lots of flowers blooming amongst meadows and people sitting or meandering around on the lawns. It looked like a painting from afar. One side of the concert hall was totally open with the grand piano inside and rows of chairs outside under sun umbrellas. There were external speakers so the acoustics were excellent in the fresh air. A very special afternoon. More information on events at Fairlight Hall is available here.
Further information on the 2019 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition between February 21 and March 2 is on the Piano Competition website .
Photos: Heidi Foster