Finnish Solo Piano Music Recording
Donation protected
I have been a working musician practically my entire adult life, playing keyboard music of all musical styles with many different people and groups. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to make a living doing something I love, working with wonderful colleagues. You can read more about me on my website, www.gailopiano.com.
I want to record a selection of late 19th-20th century Finnish solo piano music by Jean Sibelius, Oskar Merikanto, Selim Palmgren, Ilmari Hannikainen, Erkki Melartin, Leevi Madetoja and Heino Kaski on an 1877 Blüthner grand piano from The Frederick Collection in Ashburnham, Massachusetts (www.frederickcollection.org). This is wonderful music that I've played for many years and deserves to be heard by a wider audience. I want to combine my commitment to presenting good music not often heard with performing it on an instrument of the period so listeners can get some idea of the sound of the piano the composer knew.
This will be a high-quality professional recording, edited by engineer Christopher Greenleaf. The recording will be made at Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham, MA, an excellent acoustical space that will make the music and instrument come alive. I need funds for fees for Christopher, a producer and a digital editor, lodging, piano rental, tuning and moving, venue rental and travel expenses
I intend to complete the recording by Fall 2018. I am primarily a collaborative keyboardist and have participated in quite a few recordings over the years but I have never recorded a solo album (nor tried to raise money for it!), and it is something I have thought about doing for a long time. I feel that the time is now, and I want to do it while I am still able and motivated. This wouldn't even be happening without encouragement from my husband Neil, Pat and Mike Frederick, Christopher Greenleaf and many other family members, friends and students who have tried to get me to make a recording. Hopefully this will lead to other recordings if it goes well. I am happy to say that I have received a grant from the Finlandia Foundation, but that only covers a portion of the cost, and would be extremely grateful for any support you can contribute.
I want to record a selection of late 19th-20th century Finnish solo piano music by Jean Sibelius, Oskar Merikanto, Selim Palmgren, Ilmari Hannikainen, Erkki Melartin, Leevi Madetoja and Heino Kaski on an 1877 Blüthner grand piano from The Frederick Collection in Ashburnham, Massachusetts (www.frederickcollection.org). This is wonderful music that I've played for many years and deserves to be heard by a wider audience. I want to combine my commitment to presenting good music not often heard with performing it on an instrument of the period so listeners can get some idea of the sound of the piano the composer knew.
This will be a high-quality professional recording, edited by engineer Christopher Greenleaf. The recording will be made at Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham, MA, an excellent acoustical space that will make the music and instrument come alive. I need funds for fees for Christopher, a producer and a digital editor, lodging, piano rental, tuning and moving, venue rental and travel expenses
I intend to complete the recording by Fall 2018. I am primarily a collaborative keyboardist and have participated in quite a few recordings over the years but I have never recorded a solo album (nor tried to raise money for it!), and it is something I have thought about doing for a long time. I feel that the time is now, and I want to do it while I am still able and motivated. This wouldn't even be happening without encouragement from my husband Neil, Pat and Mike Frederick, Christopher Greenleaf and many other family members, friends and students who have tried to get me to make a recording. Hopefully this will lead to other recordings if it goes well. I am happy to say that I have received a grant from the Finlandia Foundation, but that only covers a portion of the cost, and would be extremely grateful for any support you can contribute.
Organizer
Gail Olszewski
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
