Keyboard Confections offers impressive line-up of local talent — and desserts
By Marcy Stamper
The notion of pairing piano music with delectable desserts started more than two decades ago, a brainstorm of Cascadia members who were passionate about both pianos and pastries.
This year’s Keyboard Confections continues the tradition, with a few variations, on Saturday (March 21) at The Merc Playhouse in Twisp. The program features exclusively local keyboard players and introduces two regional talents. Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop will be making the confections.
The line-up includes solo music by Methow Valley pianists Nancy Acheson, Michael Brady, Alice Glandon, Linda Mendro and Dick Volckmann, and by Kathleen Christensen from Omak, who is seen regularly as accompanist for the Okanogan Valley choir.
Two pairs of Methow Valley pianists will play duets: Liv Aspholm and Ian DeLong and Lynette Westendorf and Maggie Coon. Mariliz Romano and Doug Wilson, from Tonasket, will also play duets. All six will deftly make full use of the piano keyboard in intricate music arranged for four hands.
Music for solo piano includes selections from the classical and romantic repertoire by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, and 20th-century works by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Aaron Copland.
Duos include the sizzling Malageuña by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona and arrangements for piano of jazz by Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and by the Metheny/Nehldau Quartet. Young pianists Liv Aspholm and Ian DeLong will play a ballad called “Alone in a Crowd.” There will also be original music composed for piano by Dick Volckmann.
During intermission, concert attendees can indulge in a delectable array of desserts — and even dance off the calories — to the accompaniment of jazz standards by the Hottell Ragtime Jazz Band. Arrowleaf Bistro is making mini-cheesecakes, white- and chocolate-cake petit fours, chocolate chip cookies, and gluten-free French macaroons.
Keyboard Confections starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; free for those 18 and under.
