Innovative Piano Concert

by Katie Achilli
edited by Nalina Shapiro

Pianist Xenia Pestova played not only traditional piano, but toy piano

accompanied by electronic music for an audience on Friday, March 26th in

Cheney Hall.

Pestova is praised by and is good friends with Professor Lou Bunk, the

Assistant Director of Music here at Franklin Pierce. Both Pestova and

Bunk were in a music program together in France. During this

performance, she performed for the first time, a piece written by Bunk

called Being and Becoming, which was performed on the toy piano with

electronics. It is part of a larger composition which includes parts for

different instruments. It was written from Bunk’s inspiration of

abstract reality and actual reality.

“I became interested in abstract reality and the real,” said Bunk.

“Each toy piano has its own charm,” said Pestova.

Her performance consisted of six compositions including

Bunk’s piece. Two of the pieces, titled 30-Second Project, were actually

made up of at least 7 separate compositions that were only about 30

seconds long.

The performance raised eyebrows, but in a good way, as Pestova filled

the room with loud pangs of the toy piano, and flowing melodies from the

traditional piano. She innovatively combined the sounds of modern

electronic repertoire with both classical and contemporary piano styles.

Pestova also scraped a violin bow against a surface to create even more

inventive sounds to complete her music.

Each of the pieces that were performed were written just for Pestova by

friends and teachers from all over the world. They each were inspired by

many different things, including movies and nature. Pestova will

continue to perform around the world, writing her own music and playing

others’ compositions.

Pestova is a pianist with a special interest in combining a traditional

range of music with contemporary works. As a child, she obtained a music

education in piano and composition, and then moved to New Zealand with

her family. She continued her studies in the UK, the Netherlands, France

and Canada, and now holds a Doctor of Music degree in piano performance

from the McGill University Schulich School of Music in Montreal.

Throughout her musical career, Pestova has won an array of awards. As

well as performing solo recitals, Pestova has collaborated with other

musicians and has performed as an ensemble pianist. She has

commissioned, premiered and broadcasted many works of music and has

worked with many composers.