Alderson Masters Public Recital (Bach, Chopin, Raff, Ireland, Animenz)

The recording of my final assessed masters recital at the University of Cardiff on the 15th of September 2026, which was marked as 82% and of "accomplished, superior standard". Programme: Goose House (arr. Animenz) - Hikaru Nara (00:00) Bach - Well Tempered Clavier book I, Prelude and Fugue in C# minor (6:45) Raff - Sonata Fantasie in D minor Op 168 (14:05) Ireland - Month's Mind (33:20) Chopin - First Ballade Op 23 (38:45) The two thematic pillars of this recital are the opening and closing pieces. Hikaru Nara is the opening of the anime "Your Lie in April" and that show more or less marks my introduction to classical music. It's improvisatory introduction is a perfect atmospheric opening to the concert. It's quite unorthodox to pair a modern popular style piece with one of the oldest pieces in the piano repertoire - old enough to predate the piano as a popular instrument and so old it wasn't even written for it. However the way Hikaru Nara ends lends itself well to transitioning to this melancholic lilting prelude. I also aim, when programming Baroque repertoire, to incorporate it into the programme, rather than simply sticking it at the start and treat it as an isolated warm up piece. The Sonata Fantasie is austere and makes the transition from minor to major, with a cadenza reminiscent of the Chopin Ballade. It sits as the centre piece of the concert - a large scale monumental work demanding a great deal of attention. Ireland's Month's Mind stands as almost an encore after what would normally be well suited as a concert finale. Just like how the Bach prepares the Raff, the Ireland is a moment of respite for the audience to regain their emotional energy. It continues in the same key Raff ends, and gently winds the energy down ready for the true finale. The Chopin Ballade, which I first heard in the final episode of "Your Lie in April" and was immediately captivated and profoundly moved - it actually inspired me to learn piano in the first place - finishes the concert, in fitting fashion given the piece which opened it. I had long avoided tackling this masterwork, and even though my performance wasn't clean or free of blemishes I have no regrets about selecting it and put everything I had into the debut of my all time favourite piece of music, and one which is very important to me.