It’s fair to say, going to a gig in a neighbours living room with about 20 strangers isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, ‘Healthy Concerts’ and the wider network of community musicians it represents has become an established, (if somewhat under-the-radar) outlet for new music, with Brighton singer-songwriters benefiting in particular. Since the first house concert in Brighton in 1994, hundreds of events have taken place giving musicians, artists and other members of the HC scene, the chance to shine in the unique setting of someone’s living room.
In fact, it would appear from a number of the testimonials from past musicians, they like this safe and private setting too. Billed as a ‘Classical Piano House Concert’ with excellent local contemporary pianist Ben Solomon kicking off proceedings. We gathered around the Grand Piano, whilst Solomon performed his own pieces such as One Way Day was a moving experience. Up this close and personal, witnessing not just the skill of the musician, but their preparations as they steadied their nerves to take to the secluded stage. It soon became clear what the founder of HCs, Paul Chi, meant about maintaining aspects of ‘the performance’. Namely, how this ‘hair on the back of your neck’, stuff can so easily be neglected as musicians increasingly lock themselves away in recording studios and produce music via PCs and technology.
The main artist, Kayo Tatebe, has worked professionally as an international concert pianist in Japan, Germany & America for over 30 years. Her performance included Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy – and it didn’t matter if you weren’t quite familiar with all these great works. It was mesmerising stuff: the pace, skill and sheer capacity to recite all three movements of Beethoven’s Moonlight, was simply mind-blowing in such an intimate setting. Like the amazing performances tonight, the original concept behind ‘Healthy Concerts’ is something special. I came away uplifted and privileged to have been there. Brighton isn’t Bust when we can have concerts like this in our living rooms.
Words by Andrew Wilson
