Whitechapel resident and a pupil of Forest School, Snaresbrook, James was courageous enough to volunteer to come and play the piano in the hospital foyer.
He had prepared an excellent programme of ambitious classical pieces, which not only served to showcase his considerable skill on the keyboard, but also blended in very well in the busy and noisy atrium space, where many patients and visitors were constantly coming and going around him while he played, with the accompanying noise and chatter. This didn't seem to faze James at all, and he played with considerable focus and apparent ease, confidence and control.
Here is James' playlist:
"Passacaglia" by G.F. Handel - arranged by Johan Halvorsen - (Recorded here)
2 x Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti - K.208 (Adagio Cantabile) & K.209 (Allegro)
"Bethena" - A Concert Waltz by Scott Joplin
"Moonlight Sonata " by Ludwig van Beethoven
"Fantaisie-impromptu" in C sharp minor - Op.66 - by Frédéric Chopin
Selection from 8 "Impromptus" - D.899 - by Franz Schubert
"Intermezzo No. 1" by Manuel Ponce
"Prelude in C sharp minor" by Sergei Rachmaninov - Op.3 No.2
We greatly appreciated James giving up his time to play in the hospital, especially as he is preparing for important exams next week! Thank you James, and you will be welcome to come back at any time to play for us again.