On the Road with Joanne Robinson: Show #236 Rockport, MA

We just taped a show in Rockport at what may have been the most beautiful concert hall I’ve ever performed in – the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The back of the stage featured a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking a sparking blue bay – a stunning backdrop for the show’s talented performers!

Opening the show was 15-year-old pianist and cellist Sarina Zhang, a From the Top alum we originally featured at the tender age of eight. This time around she played Sarasate’s Zapateado on cello, and then offered words of wisdom to the performer up next – eight-year-old pianist Gavin George. He played two movements from Debussy’s Children’s Corner and was so adorable and such an excellent player I made sure to flipcam his performance you!

Following Gavin, the teenage members of the Formation Quartet took the stage to play from Grieg’s String Quartet in G minor and went on to discuss the formation (pun intended) of their ensemble.

Next up, 17-year-old flutist Ryan Norville expertly performed Fantaisie brillante on Bizet’s Carmen by François Borne, and closing the show, 17-year-old Stephanie Zyzak brought the house down with a movement from Nocturne and Tarantella, Op. 28 by Karol Szymanowski.

Make sure to tune in to this episode when it airs the week of September 19, 2011 – and below, check out Gavin playing Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum from Debussy’s Children’s Corner!