Local Pianist performs Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

Miss Beth Ann Surapine, Director of Music at St. Bernard Church, Choir Director for Adult and Children, Private Piano Instructor and Piano Accompanist will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on Saturday, February 3rd at 7:30pm with the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra in Milford, MA.

Ms. Surapine has played the piano since she was 5 years old, and is extremely passionate about her work and the growth of each of her students. Through practice, self-discipline work-ethic and perseverance, she has lead by example and built a music career in the Enfield community. Along with being the Director of Music, Ms. Surapine also teaches music in a Catholic grammar school, and gives weekly private piano lessons to 45 students ranging in age from 5-86. Ms. Surapine has loved to be the accompany pianist for many different concert series throughout her career, but this time, (since performing Rhapsody in Blue years ago) she was asked to be the featured piano soloist. Since May of 2017, Ms. Surapine has worked on learning the different parts of this piece. Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto has always been one of her very favorite and cherished pieces, and she fell in love with it as a teenager. For her, it is filled with beauty, passion and emotion, it is calming and exciting all at the same time. She had always dreamed of playing it, and now this dream is becoming a reality. Since May, Ms. Surapine has been practicing 4 hours every evening to learn all of the movements and prepare herself, as well as keep up with her demanding weekly schedule.

While performing Rachmaninoff will bring Ms. Surapine great joy, personal growth and a sense of accomplishment, she is also performing as a tribute to her parents, Ray and Carol Surapine, who spent thousands of dollars on her during her childhood, supporting her dream of becoming a pianist, and she is thankful for their many sacrifices. It is her mother’s dream to see her perform this piece. Her father drove her around to lessons, master classes, recitals and concerts. He passed away this past April and she is especially doing this performance in his memory: “He is up there watching over me and encouraging me every step of the way, saying: ‘you can do this!’”.

For tickets, please visit claflinhill.com and click on “tickets” the performance is titled: “Russian Romance”.