Inaugural piano recital at BU

Renowned musician to perform during inaugural recital for University’s new concert grand piano.

Virtuoso pianist Alison Farr will dedicate BU’s new concert grand piano with a special recital on Friday 23 October at 7.30pm.

The recital will be held in the Talbot House student centre on the University’s Talbot Campus which is home to the new instrument. The piano will be enjoyed by staff, students and local musicians for rehearsals and performances at the University.

“This superb Petrof concert grand piano is not only a tremendous resource for our students and staff but also for the wider community,” said Ian Davis, the University’s Head of Music. “There will be many opportunities to hear and play this instrument over the coming years but the Music Department is delighted that Alison Farr who is such a talented pianist will give the inaugural recital.”

Described by critics as a virtuoso pianist of innate sensitivity and poetic insight, Alison first studied piano with Caroline Gale in her hometown of Bournemouth.

After continuing her education at Wells Cathedral School, Alison was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in 1998 and graduated in 2002 with first class honours.

Alison has won several prizes, awards and competitions, including the Audi Junior Musician (1994), the UK section of the European Music for Youth Prize (1996) and the Piano section of BBC Young Musicians (1998). She was prize winner at the Messiaen International Competition in Paris in (2000) and was finalist at the Newport International Competition for Young Pianists in (2003).

Alison has performed as concerto soloist with a number of orchestras such as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Her performance with the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was recorded by the BBC and broadcast on Radio 3.

Abroad she has performed in Moscow, Paris, the Gulf States and Israel and is a regular guest recitalist on board P&O and Cunard cruise ships.

Tickets for BU’s Inaugural Piano Recital with Alison Farr are £8.00 (to include wine) and available directly from the University.

Where: Talbot House Student Centre, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University
When: Friday 23 October 2009
Further information: Please telephone (01202) 965018 or email: musicadmin@bournemouth.ac.uk
Booking early is advised as numbers for this very special performance are limited.