The air was filled with enchantment on the evening of November 5 as the Princeton Pianist Ensemble (PPE) took the stage at Richardson Auditorium for their Fall 2024 performance, “Fantasia.” The ensemble, known for its vibrant performances, wowed the sold-out crowd with an extraordinary showcase featuring five concert grand Steinway pianos.
The program, which included arrangements by PPE members, spanned genres from cinematic to classical. Highlights included a lively “Harry Potter” medley and Franz Liszt’s 19th-century classic “La Campanella.”
The atmosphere in the auditorium was lively and electric, a stark contrast to the formal tone typically associated with classical piano performances. The audience’s excitement was palpable as cheers and shouts from friends of the performers echoed throughout the hall, and one group even held up a large poster cutout of a PPE member’s face.
The show began with a stunning “Carmen” medley. Dressed in black and red outfits adorned with roses—a nod to the opera’s central character—five pianists brought a playful and energetic interpretation to the piece. A tambourine was incorporated into the performance, adding a lighthearted touch, though it occasionally struggled to keep pace with the complex piano rhythms.
Next, the ensemble delighted the audience with a “Sound of Music” medley. The pianists’ soft blue outfits mirrored Maria’s iconic dress from the film, and the music captured the grandeur and romance of the beloved soundtrack, all without the need for additional instruments.
The group then transitioned to “Western Scriptures” from Journey to the West, with booming drums complementing the piano to create a rich, textured sound. According to PPE’s program notes, the piece explores profound existential questions, such as “Whence do we come? What are we? Where are we going?” The combination of drums and piano effectively conveyed the piece’s bold and introspective message.
The “Harry Potter” theme followed, filling the room with the magic of Hogwarts. For this number, one of the pianists took on the role of a conductor, briefly guiding the group with fluid, wand-like baton movements, adding a whimsical touch to the performance.
The first half of the show concluded with a playful “Mario Kart Wii” medley. Each pianist had a small plushie of a character or item from the game, and they incorporated snapping and a keyboard harmonica to evoke the sound of the video game, much to the delight of the audience.
After a brief intermission, PPE returned with a humorous piece titled “Boss Battle: Co-Presidents vs. Music Directors.” In this fun segment, co-presidents Amanda Chan ’26 and Sofia Marina ’26 faced off against music directors Kalu Obasi ’25 and Jeffrey Xu ’27. The friendly competition between the two groups, which is usually separated by responsibilities—co-presidents overseeing management and music directors handling musical decisions—turned into a playful battle, complete with plastic stick duels.
The final section of the show included two classical pieces, framed by a tribute to the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, the celebrated Japanese composer. The ensemble performed Liszt’s “La Campanella” from Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141, showcasing intricate piano work that kept the audience engaged despite its lesser familiarity. The tribute to Sakamoto included a medley of songs from the films he had soundtracked during his illustrious career.
The evening ended with a quick, energetic encore in which the performers playfully jostled for space at the pianos, playing with speed and exuberance while their fellow musicians danced behind them. The grand finale came when they all slammed their hands on the keys, sending the audience into a frenzy of applause.
The Princeton Pianist Ensemble’s “Fantasia” provided a magical experience that transported the audience into a world of music, humor, and sheer musical brilliance.
Related Topics
- Alesis Strata Prime E-kit Gets Its First Ever Discount Ahead of Black Friday
- Universal Audio’s Standard Series Microphones: The Ultimate Drum Mics for Any Studio
- Pianist Stranded Without His Steinway After Ivory Key Controversy
