Massimiliano Frani

Dr. Massimiliano Frani of Venice, Italy, what can I say he is spectacular? He’s a past server at an executive level of International Cultural Institutions including the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation (part of the World Federation of International Music Competitions UNESCO, Switzerland). He has recorded with groups such as American Piano Quartet, the Budapest Chamber Orchestra; he has been requested to judge for the World Federation of International Music Competitions. He has worked with the most celebrated pedagogues such as Juilliard School of Music in New York, International Piano Academy Lake Como and Brigham Young University. He is a true Lover of the piano and jazz. He has spread his gift of musical language and great artistic piano music in such places as New York, Montreal, Venice, Franfurt, Rome, Hambug, Budapest and Tokyo. This evening, November 16, 2007, at Los Angeles Harbor College, San Pedro, California. Dr. Massimiliano Frani will performed compositions from the following composers Frederic Chopin, Bill Evans/ Frani, Philip Glass and Astor Piazolla.

As I entered into the building I could feel that this was going to be a special performance. The young people at the door seemed very proud and I didn’t know if this was going to be something that I would like. To by surprise

I was so moved by his performance that I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my children, so I called a close friend and shared my new and wonderful experience with her all the way home. Unfortunately there were only about 40-50 people in attendance for this magnificent experience. I believe that there should have been thousands of people there with me, like me, being mesmerized. This was a memorable, profoundly, emotional roll a coaster ride, I was honored to be a music student at Los Angeles Harbor College. I was disappointed that I did not bring my 16 and 11 old daughters to this once in a life time experience. This is what I as a parent dream to introduce to my children, and other generations, real music not the other stuff. I believe this could have helped them to see a whole new world of art and music.

The introduction was a piece was by Chopin, 1900 (unnamed) it was about 2 minute long. I think we were all blown away. He informed us that “he feels the piano is the closes musical instrument to human emotion”.

Dr. Massimiliano Frani had Anne Porter to read poems to us between each selection. This was very powerful. It gave me more insight on the conversation of the music. This unnamed selection by Frederic Chopin was dance music the most simple of music the tango. It didn’t seem to be dance music I could dance too. There was a story being told twice in different keys. I thought the music was delightful.

The next selection was by Bill Evans/ Frani, Bill Evans born 1929 – 1980 in New Jersey, he loved jazz and the saxophone, also untitled, this piece I believe is special to Dr. Massimiliano Frani because he said that in his opinion Bill Evans is the Chopin of our time. This piece is about the emotions of a child, while her mother played the piano; she begins to weep and was not able to tell her mother why she was brought to tears. During this selection everyone is still giving him their undivided attention. He seemed to be one with the music and the piano. When he was finished I felt happy, angry, disappointed and gentle. I was exhausted from the emotional journey.

The next selection was by Philip Glass, born 1937 he’s from Baltimore. He is known for his wide range of main stream artist. He is best known for his music with repetitive structures. This piece was also untitled. It started slow and beautiful. To my surprise it seemed like 4 or 5 people were playing.