Quiet moments combine with rage and violence and flashes of whimsy in Rachmaninoff’s The Preludes.
It covers a range of human emotions, said pianist Sarah Hagen, adding that there is anger, frustration and “points that are completely heavenly and filled with light and healing.”
The Preludes, known also as Rachmaninoff’s complete Opus 32, was created in 1910. Hagen said she discovered the power of the combined pieces about six years ago.
“One day, for kicks, I sat down and played through all of them,” she said, adding that it was like a light bulb going off in her head when she realized the impact of the pieces when played in entirety.
“I saw there was such an emotional impact when you put them together. It’s very intense and takes people to every corner of their hearts,” said Hagen. “The expanse of emotions is vast. I don’t think that Rachmaninoff misses any core emotions throughout.”
Hagen is performing The Preludes during a concert at the Port Theatre Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The show includes a question-and-answer segment at the end of the concert.
Hagen started piano lessons when she was seven years old. Hagen said she initially played the piano because they had one in the house.
“We all played in my family,” she said. “It was just part of being around it.”
She was attracted to the different styles she could play.
“Playing alone on the piano you have all these voices in your hands and I thought that was magical,” she said.
Hagen has performed with Ballet Victoria, the Emily Carr String Quartet, Victoria Symphony, Waterloo Symphony and many others.
Being a pianist is something she’s never thought of as a career, she said.
“I really think of it as a calling,” said Hagen.”I just followed my heart along the way and my heart led me to the piano.”
In her spare time, Hagen plays a variety of music styles.
“I like to play a lot of variety to complement my mood changes all the time and like improvising a lot,” said Hagen.
Tickets to Hagen’s solo piano concert are $32 for adults, $28 for members and $15 for students available by calling 250-754-8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com. The show is being co-presented by the Port Theatre, as part of its Spotlight Series, and Nanaimo Conservatory of Music.
For more information about Hagen, please go to http://sarahhagen.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com