By Georgina Wilcox

Last Saturday I was present with other invited guests at the magnificent home of Professor John-Paul Clarke in Beach Bay for a piano recital given by Caribbean born pianist , Sean Sutherland who is on tour.

To say I, along with everyone present, was stunned by the performance is an understatement.

When I said the home was magnificent so was Mr. Sutherland’s incredible piano playing.

The pieces he played were all very difficult and part of an international competition he had entered. He played without any music and by his expressions as his fingers flew around the piano keys he was sharing every emotion of the piano score.

The recital lasted one hour and fifteen minutes plus a fifteen minute interval.

I leave you with the programme below and Mr. Sutherland’s very interesting bio.

If you get the chance I thoroughly recommend you hearing this amazing musician.

InFusion Programme:

Christopher Spencer – Prelude and Fugue Chopin – 24 Preludes, Op 28

Intermission

Fryderyk Chopin – Waltz in e minor, KK IVa Nr. 15
Ignacy Jan Paderewski – Thème varié, Op. 16, No. 3
Fryderyk Chopin – Scherzo No. 3 in c-sharp minor, Op. 39
Fryderyk Chopin – Mazurka in c-sharp minor, Op. 63, No. 3
Fryderyk Chopin – Mazurka in C, Op. 24, No. 2
Fryderyk Chopin – Ballade No 4 in f minor, Op 52

Sean Sutherland Bio:

Born in St. Vincent, Sean Sutherland began his musical studies with the late Lois Williams. At age 15, the Royal Schools of Music (UK) offered Sean a full scholarship.

However, having not yet completed secondary school, Sean made the difficult decision of turning down the offer.

Sean resumed studying piano upon his arrival at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while earning a bachelor’s degree in music, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science; he went on to receive an MBA from McGill University, where he has lectured at as an adjunct professor of finance and information systems. Sean also founded The Prep Area, a niche tutorial service focused on preparing students for standardized tests.

Last year, Sean completed a Masters in Education at Stanford University, where he focused on the application of learning and design technology in delivering education.

Sean has given numerous acclaimed performances in the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. Sean was a semifinalist at the 2016 Van Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition and a finalist at the 2017 Boston Amateur Piano Competition. This fall, Sean will compete in the Chopin Amateur Piano Competition in Warsaw.

IMAGES:

Sean Sutherland
Group photo taken at the event. Sean Sutherland is in the centre. Credit- Georgina Wilcox