shaking hands with greatness

When I had read of the artist who was to be featured at this first "Piano in the Arts" of he new season, I had been attracted by the diversity of the music genres. After all, it would be a nice sequel to the children's choir event a few months ago, right?
Well, I was correct on two counts. First, both featured music from the European masters, in a variety of styles. Second, both events were filled with passion from the performing artists.
But this young man at the Fine Arts Auditorium is no amateur, new to his craft.
Lovre Marušić is last year's winner of the Karlovac International Piano Competition and is the first native countryman to do so. He is a fifth-year student who is devoted to music in general and to the piano in particular. His belief when he plays is this: "‘Somebody in the audience is listening to you for the first time, but somebody also for the last time."

His passion flows from his fingertips to the very strings of the piano, adding his emotions to the very notes as they fly into the air.
It truly was a wondrous thing to witness.
Scarlatti's Baroque-Classical sonatas were lilting and light!
The trio from Beethoven's work, the "Moonlight Sonata", were beautifully ponderous, played with heavy hands that stroked the keys.
The first set was concluded with a wistful, haunted duo from Scriabin's Romantic-period Sonata No. 2, Op. 19.
Bach dominated Lovre's second set. In particular, the English Suite No. 3 BWV 808, with its seven pieces, were presented to us with a conscious pause between each, to allow its tones to fall completely silent before delighting the ears with the next tune. Incredible!
After the English were all done, Lovre took a brief rest off-stage, perhaps for a drink of water. Upon his return, he graced us with Nocturne Op. 32, from his countryman, Božidar Kunc, a man who had also once taught at his university. I guarantee that piece was new to all in the audience! Such a wonderful piece it was, too.
The last piece, as well as the encore, were works of Franz Liszt. The scheduled piece was "Funerailles", with a poetic harmony appropriate for the mourning of dear friends lost.
What an incredible experience this was!
Lovre believes so firmly that "real music should contain personal intimacy and soul" that I could feel the bright energy of his soul inhabiting every note he coaxed from the piano.
Fortunately, I was a little late leaving the building. I had come across my friends, Ruth and 'Tis, after the performance and we had talked for a few moments. Then, coming down the steps into the evening air, I met Lovre as he was coming back up those same steps. We paused as I shook his hand and thanked him... then I broke free from the enchantment and allowed him to proceed with his mission to deliver the bouquet he was carrying.
Right place, right time.
i thank You, God.