Francis Reneau helps next generation of pianists
He is Belize’s most celebrated classical musician, a world class pianist who, between the Belizean classics “Mass in Blues” and “Celebrations”, compiled an impressive list of achievements in England, the Soviet Union and United States. Now, Francis Reneau is back in town, this time to help the next generation of Belizean artists. Patrick Jones reports.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
Over the last couple of weeks, close to twenty piano students have been getting world class instructions from one of the best: Belize’s very own Francis Reneau.
Reneau is tutoring as part of the Meet the Masters programme, a new initiative to connect budding artists with established professionals. Gina Scott is coordinating the programme.
Gina Scott, Director, Belize School of Music
“The Meet the Masters series is run by the Belize School of Music. We just happen to be the largest service provider of piano instruction in the country. And so it was a natural interest for us to provide the opportunity because we see students who excel and it’s so convenient to bring in one person, than to try to send away somebody.”
The London-based concert pianist says organisers did not have to ask a second time for him to take part in the programme and share his wealth of experience with the young artists. Reneau says he was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent he found.
Francis Reneau, Concert Pianist
“So far I have been quite pleased. Of course, when I first came and listened, the inevitable thing is that I hear all the things that need improving. But with time and the lessons we have had, what has impressed me particularly is how sharp they are and when I ask for things to be changed, they get changed almost immediately. So, that side of it has been very, very pleasing indeed.”
Felicia Williams, Pianist
“For me it’s a privilege because a chance like this comes only once in a lifetime and it’s good that I took advantage of the opportunity.”
When the initial shock of not only being in the same room, but in some cases sitting right next to the world famous artist wore off, the students shed their fears and plowed straight into the music.
Felicia Williams
“Well with Mr. Reneau we are learning not only to play musical notes but to express our music and to express our feelings in our music. It’s like speaking through our music.”
“It’s not that you don’t really learn how to do it. It’s how you really feel at the time. And so what he helps us to do is work on our style and technique, so that you know, you’re not just hearing notes anymore, you?re actually feeling something, you’re making your listener feel something as you play.”
The month-long instructional course will culminate with two public concerts in Belize City and Belmopan, where the students will be the opening acts for Reneau as he performs for the home folks, something that he doesn’t get to do often enough.
Francis Reneau
“I’m playing a piece by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff; I’m playing Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue, which I have played here before, but I have done a few things to it which I would like to think have made it better. And, in other words some poplar pieces as well as serious ones.”
One serious piece of music that audiences in Belize City and Belmopan can look forward to is a classical variation of Land of the Free.
Francis Reneau
“In this sort of work, you play the actual melody. (Plays “Anthem” on piano.) And that goes on to the end and then you make variations. (Plays “Anthem” on piano.) And then other parts to it, there is, what, it’s ‘tyrants here linger, despots must flee’ and I have a sort of…(plays “Anthem” on piano) in a sense that was a sort of military march, sort of getting ready for a fight. And there is even parts where you have (plays piano again) the guns going off and things like that; full of imagery.”
Patrick Jones, for News Five.
Reneau is scheduled to leave the country on September second.
