June 2, 2011 - Pianist Karen Knecht performed a 30-minute concert at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church on May 25 at 12.10 pm, as part of its Music at Noon concerts. The Church is a beautiful structure, with high ceilings, glass windows, and comfortable seating. As it is often the case with churches, it has great acoustics. For Knech’s performance about 60 people attended, with space left for many more.
Knech first performed Felix Mendelssohn’s Phantasie in F sharp Minor, op. 28, with its Con moto agitato, Allegro con moto, and Presto, composed in 1833. The pianist’s hands flowed and in the Presto section her fingers danced rapidly.
The second part was Frederic Chopin’s fourth and last of his scherzos, Scherzo in E Major, op. 54, composed in 1842. This piece was more melodic, more predictable, with smooth parts that sounded lovely, close-your-eyes type of smooth. (An older lady sitting closer to the stage closed her eyes and rested her head over the pew in front of her, swaying a bit to the notes. – No, she was not napping!)
Over the next couple of months the Pasadena Presbyterian Church will be holding 30-minute concerts every Wednesday at 12.10 pm. (See full schedule below.) The concerts will include an Afro Tango Ensemble on July 27 and a Latin Jazz ensemble on August 31. The concerts are free of charge. A sandwich lunch is available after the concerts for a $6 donation.
The Pasadena Presbyterian Church is located at 585 East Colorado Blvd.
Music at Noon concert schedule
June 8 – Claude Bourbon – guitar
June 15 – Carl Matthes – piano
June 22 – Brian Hanke – piano
June 29 – Azzonio Duo - violin and piano
July 6 – Sarah Nass – flute and Tracy Esslinger – piano
July 13 – Christine Azzoni Dow – piano
July 20 – Stephen Dick – guitar
July 27 – Afro Tango Ensemble
August 3 – Polli Chambers-Salazar – piano
August 10 – David Stenske – violin and Neil Stipp – piano
August 17 – Angeles Consort
August 24 – Elliott Dunlap – piano
August 31 – AKSAK – Latin Jazz Ensemble
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