By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Concert pianist John Reith could think of no better way to celebrate his birthday than to perform at a benefit concert.
Reith, who is the director of music at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, said he always feels a responsibility to his listeners as he selects the pieces for a concert.
“I am taking them on an ‘emotional road trip’ through different expressions from different periods, styles and composers.”
He chose three pieces for this concert, presented to benefit the Mountain Homeless Coalition: “Prelude and Fugue in E-flat Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach; “Piano Sonata in G Major” by Ludwig van Beethoven; and “Andante Spinato et Grande Polonaise Brillante in E-flat Major” by Frederic Francois Chopin.
He described the three pieces as “generally happy and upbeat pieces.” He also pointed to a sense of humor in the Bach and Beethoven pieces.
And, lastly, he said, “especially in the Bach Fugue and the Chopin Polonaise, there is a sense of completion and triumph over adversity.”
Reith titled the concert “The Keys of Compassion.”
The sanctuary at St. Richard’s was nearly full with audience members who sat mesmerized as they watched Reith’s fingers fly over the keys. There were several young children in attendance, all of whom paid close attention and appeared to enjoy every note.
Following the Beethoven, there was a brief intermission during which audience members were encouraged to make donations to the Mountain Homeless Coalition. An insert in the program detailed the Coalition’s accomplishments during 2023. The Rev. Canon Gary Bradley spoke eloquently about the Coalition, stressing their goal to provide permanent housing. In 2023, they succeeded in placing 89 mountain individuals from 50 households into homes. That is in addition to the 76 they housed in 2022.
Following the Chopin, the audience rose to its feet and clamored for more. In response, Reith returned to the piano and played Alexander Scriabin’s “Nocturne in D-flat,” which was written for the left hand only. Cries of “bravo” rang through the church at that piece’s conclusion.
The event was not over, however. Since the concert took place on Reith’s birthday, someone asked for a note so the audience could sing to him. Instead, Reith played a rousing version of “Happy Birthday,” with everyone singing along.
Following the concert, the audience celebrated John Reith’s birthday.
The crowd then reassembled downstairs in the social hall where a caterer had set up a festive array of food and a cake to celebrate the big day.
If you missed the concert, you will want to log onto the church’s website – strichardsweb.org – where a recording is available. And to make a donation to the Mountain Homeless Coalition, visit www.MountainHomelessCoalition.com.
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