Debussy and many other classical composers had a deep connection with the concept of romance, especially when their own love lives took an almost operatic turn. Debussy’s Romantic Piano By Candlelight – ‘Clair De Lune’ is a celebration of those composers and an insight into what made them write such interesting pieces, all played by Matthew Shiel, who has previously played with some big orchestras himself and has a fascination with these incredible composers.
Debussy’s Romantic Piano By Candlelight – ‘Clair De Lune’The choice to play these gorgeous musical interludes in a church was the right move, as we entered into a peaceful space that was highlighted with a collection of perfectly placed LED candles. This was not just for health and safety reasons, but for the ambience created; it needed a good balance of gothic shadows and a hint of light. That in itself set the scene for a simple setup which involved only a piano and the pew in which someone normally does a bible reading from. I noticed at the time of review that due to technical difficulties, the animations couldn’t be played, but it actually was the right choice to not include them here, as all we then had was the music and the words to create the images in our minds about love and the people involved, which was powerfully dramatic amongst the candles and shadows.
Shiel, as a pianist, is one of the finest musicians I have personally witnessed to date. He played the piano with such passion and respect for the keys and the emotional states portrayed in the music that we couldn’t help but be swept away in the magic of it all. It was easy to see why one of the orchestras he had collaborated with was the BBC’s official one, as the technical skills that were on show were equally well tuned (so to speak) and highly crafted, so that an experience was had rather than a normal recital.
When he shared with us his stories about each showcased composer, such as Bach, Chopin and Debussy, we found out so many interesting facts about them, that it became clear the research had been done well. Whether you were a newcomer to classical music or an expert, Shiel had something for everyone to absorb and enjoy. For me, I loved learning about Chopin’s complicated love life and one of his lovers being a married woman who was the perfect wife and mother during the day, but at night became ‘George’. A gentleman who met with Chopin unaccompanied and developed her own code with him to continue their romance in secret until they became official. It felt like an appropriate tale that might have taken place in Brighton with gender fluidity being explored in this way today, yet back then, it was a scandal in itself, which I found very fascinating.
Debussy’s Romantic Piano By Candlelight – ‘Clair De Lune’ is magical and calming in the heart of a busy fringe. Keep an eye out for it if it comes around again.
Reviewed by Sascha Cooper
SELLOUT EdFringe24. Romantic piano pieces meet candlelit Venetian masked balls as award-winning Scottish pianist Matthew Shiel exposes the scandalous love affairs of the great composers. Features a new romance composed specially for tonight’s artist by Dr Alfredo Caponnetto – Notturno VI, alongside digital animations by acclaimed Shanghai artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen.
An immersive musical experience designed to wind you down, find romantic inspiration and open your heart to live and to love. Fringe Classics productions are rated ★★★★★: ‘Enchanting… amusing, enlightening stories’ ★★★★★ (EdinburghGuide.com). ‘An atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world’ ★★★★★ (CorrBlimey.com). ‘Ripping good yarn’ ★★★★★ (BingeFringe.com).
Matthew Shiel is an award-winning pianist who has collaborated with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (broadcast on BBC Radio 3), The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Scotland and has been broadcast on Al Jazeera.