They say that music is food for the soul and good musical performances, whether European or local, are always appreciated by people who have an ear for it. And when the compositions of maestros of western classical music are played by a young, local musician, it becomes all the more interesting. Thus it was quite a treat to hear the piano recital given by a young Usman Anees, who had the discerning audience swaying to the melodies of the great composers Schumann, Bach and Mozart.

Choosing excerpts of compositions from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic period, Usman impressed all and sundry with his energetic interpretation of Schumann's composition, Fantasiestucke. The three pieces that he played from it showed his fluidity and control, mostly fiery tones interspersed with soft flowing music.

This was followed by Schubert's Impromptu Opus 90, containing soft notes, and Bach whose excerpts from his work The Well-tempered Clavier, had complicated notes with its high and low notes played skillfully by the young pianist.

Mozart's piano Sanato K311 was a blend of soft and fiery notes, dipping low and then reaching a crescendo. Mendelssohn's Rondo Capricioso contained fluid and frolicking notes interspersed with hard ones.

At ease with all the composers, he ended the concert with a composition of his own. Very soft and toned down in comparison with the maestros, the compositon was impressive. The lilting tones reminded one of Mozart's compositions who brought softness to the German style by combining it with the Italian school of thought. What is even more impressive is the fact that this young man is self-taught and has not honed his musical skills at any famous school abroad.

Usman's interest in the piano was initiated by his father, Ijaz Anees, who gave him piano lessons when he was eight years old. “In three years I could play compositions and continued to improve through the years,” he said.

Usman practices about five to six hours daily and has a repertoire of nearly 200 classical works ranging from Baroque to Modernism, and due to his mastery of the piano he is often invited by different embassies for recitals. He has also given a performance in Berlin. Currently he is teaching at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa).

The 23-year-old has penned 200 compositions which include a piano solo, sonatas and an orchestra piece. Seeing the popular outcome of the mixing of ragas and pop music, this budding musician has also stepped into the genre by dabbling in ragas and incorporating them in his compositions, bringing an eastern touch to them and with it a new style.

“I've also tried my hand at arranging film music in the pianstic idiom. I want to go far in this profession but there aren't any sponsors available,” he added. The concert was arranged by the Goethe-Institut, Karachi.

 — Khursheed Hyder