Erika Gialanze and Gisele Grima.Erika Gialanze and Gisele Grima.

Pianists are generally solitary creatures. The piano is not an orchestral instrument, excluded from most ensembles, and most pianists shy away from accompaniment and chamber music.

Locally, very few pianists actually take the bold step and build artistic relationships with other musicians, so it is refreshing to talk to two pianists who are enthusiastic about working together.

Both Gisele Grima and Erika Gialanze are established solo pianists in their own right, but last May they got together for a piano four-hand concert at St James Cavalier and decided to explore the idea further. The result has been an exciting new venture for the both of them.

How different is it to performing as a soloist? “In solo playing one thinks solely about the interpretation of the music,” says Gialanze, “while playing in chamber groups the focus is on the other parts too. However, the beauty of playing piano duets is that through the inter-action between the pianists, a special bonding takes place which enriches the music.”

Grima seems to echo the same sentiments and goes a bit deeper into the problem. “There is a question of space, where both pianists work in close proximity of one another and this poses issues of bumping into one another especially with the crossing of hands or with the playing of common notes. Figuring out the movements of the arms and fingers is the fun of it all and adds that element of choreography.”

The piano is often regarded as the king of instruments, and rightly so. It has an expressive power and a full texture that you do not find with other instruments. So imagine having two pianists at one instrument. The resulting sound is nothing short of spectacular. Although the repertoire is nowhere as vast as that for solo piano, there are significant pieces and most composers have contributed to the genre.

For their concert at the Three Palaces Festival, they will be performing mostly French repertoire from the early 20th century, including works by Debussy and Satie.

Also on the programme are Stravinsky’s Five Easy Pieces (which both of them reassure me are nothing but easy) and the premiere of Christopher Muscat’s Geryon for piano four-hands and violin with Sarah Spiteri on the violin.

“Muscat’s piece really gives the impression of a giant in a battle,” says Gialanze. The piece, inspired by the mythological Greek giant, is full of cross rhythms demanding absolute coordination between the two pianists. Yet, they are both excited about performing new repertoire.

So why are pianists so reluctant to take up piano four-hand music? “I think that many pianists remain stuck in the world of piano solo music which, although rewarding, can be rather solitary. Perhaps not everyone is ready to commit themselves to sharing the piano and their playing with someone else,” says Grima.

The beauty of duets is that a special bonding takes place which enriches the music

Gialanze also thinks that it is sometimes difficult to build a bond with another pianist and many pianists do not find a good musical soulmate.

At least there is no such trouble for this duo, as they both have a mutual musical affinity. Gialanze describes her piano partner as “a very sensitive and musical performer with a great passion for music”, and Grima regards Gialanze as “a sensitive and conscientious performer who approaches performances with thorough preparation and a high level of enthusiasm”. It is this affinity which has led them into this second venture together, and also into future plans.

The Three Palaces Festival runs from November 3 to 9 and performances will be held at San Anton Palace, Verdala Palace and the Palace, Valletta. Gialanze and Grima will perform on November 4 at San Anton Palace, Attard.

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