"When it comes to the components of music virtuoso Hershey Felder's world, there is no greater metaphor for his life and art than his piano itself. More than simply a conduit for music, the instrument represents freedom from the battles fought by his family, Hungarian Jewish immigrants who faced a mountain of antisemitism, his grandfather keeping a suitcase near the door that contained key pieces of Jewish faith, including a pristine prayer shawl."
"In Hershey Felder: The Piano and Me, presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley through Feb. 8, Felder shares his deeply personal story about how he became a sought after pianist who folded his talents into a genre all his own. He does not just play the compositions of luminaries such as Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and Bach with nimble fluidity, but acts out their lives, providing insight into the passions of each and how their music changed the world."
"The potency of the story is in how Felder, now 58, looks back on the totality of his life as an older gent, espousing wisdom that comes with age and self-interrogation. It's a life that has seen its share of heartache and loss, which is felt grandly on the stage, dominated by a grand piano that Felder performs on at the most opportune times."
Hershey Felder's piano functions as a central metaphor representing artistic freedom and escape from his family's struggles as Hungarian Jewish immigrants facing antisemitism. His grandfather kept a suitcase with key pieces of Jewish faith, including a pristine prayer shawl. Felder became a sought-after pianist who created a unique genre by blending performance with dramatic portrayals of composers. He performs compositions by Liszt, Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and Bach while enacting their lives and passions. At 58, Felder reflects with age and self-interrogation, conveying heartache and loss atop a stage dominated by a grand piano. Minimal tech and evocative imagery enhance his performances.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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