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Varani to perform classical masterpieces at GCAC benefit

By Garrett Mitchell, Staff Reporter
Published on Saturday, November 28, 2015

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Flavio Varano performs Saturday at the annual fundraiser for the Greer Cultural Arts Council. 

Garrett Mitchell

Flavio Varano performs Saturday at the annual fundraiser for the Greer Cultural Arts Council. 



Enlarge photo

Flavio Varani with a poster featuring him performing in Japan.
 

Garrett Mitchell

Flavio Varani with a poster featuring him performing in Japan.

 

Brazilian concert pianist Flavio Varani has a special surprise for this guests next Saturday when he performs at a benefit for the Greer Cultural Arts Council.

But he won’t give a hint what it may be.

"There is a surprise that happens and I had already scheduled that score for the fifth and somebody said, 'my gosh, I have something, music that was written in the 19th century, that speaks of this week in our lives,’” said Varani.

"I don't tell you more," Varani said.

Varani will perform in concert Dec. 5 at the J. Harley Bonds at 7 p.m. The cost, $30, includes a reception with the artist after the show.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >>

Varani will perform renditions of classical masterpieces ranging from Beethoven, Chopin, and Varani's biggest inspiration, Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos.

Varani has returned from a three month tour of Japan where he had some interesting experiences, including playing the grand opening of a new spa in which his audience were all dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos.

"I did not know I had the inauguration of a spa resort," Varani said with a laugh. "This was the very first three nights they gave. (The people) spend the day in those hot water pools and they leave the pools to listen. My audience was basically made of people in pajamas."

Varani has an interesting approach to playing and his abilities allow for a unique interpretation of classical music's most well known composers.

"Music is through sounds," said Varani. "You allow it to touch you. Now, you don't want to be touched for the wrong reason. Nobody likes to feel vulnerable. Now I am at the time of my life where I can choose what I do."

Varani likes to give his audiences a description of each piece before he plays it, something he hopes will give new perspective to the music.

"I introduce the music," Varani said. "I love talking about what I am doing. I plan to do that on the fifth because people want to know why you chose what you are playing."

He cites his biggest influence as Villa-Lobos, who he was able to play for while studying music in France as a teenager while on scholarship.

"Wherever I play Villa-Lobos in any city, any culture, be it Chinese, Japanese, French, people love it," said Varani.

Varani plans to play selections that he believes people will recognize as well as scores people will enjoy listening to, especially those with influences of his native Brazil.

"Rhythm is very important in Brazilian music," said Varani. "It's an African-Brazilian rhythm, but it's not that which makes it extraordinary, it is that it communicates."

Want to go?

Flavio Varani

Where: J. Harley Bonds Career Center

When: Sat. Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

Cost: $30 (Includes a reception with the artist after the show)

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >>

Listen to Flavio Varani below with Spotify

Businesses mentioned in this article.

Greer Cultural Arts

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