Dino Will Have Non-Pianorama Showcase At NQC 2008
The National Quartet Convention continues to fine tune their approach and listen to the opinion of fans. Last fall, Daniel Mount posted a poll on the Singing News forums asking, “Should Dino come back to the Pianorama 2008?” Daniel also stated, “I’d rather not see him be part of Pianorama, but I wouldn’t mind if he had a separate showcase.”
69% of the 49 individuals responding to the poll agreed that he shouldn’t be part of Pianorama, while several left comments agreeing that they wouldn’t mind him having his own showcase.
Today, Daniel learned from Clarke Beasley that Dino Kartsonakis will have a showcase separate from Pianorama at the 2008 NQC.
This is a wise move on NQC’s part. There’s no doubt that Dino has plenty of fans. Giving him on his own showcase will demonstrate whether or not he actually draws a significant number of his fans to NQC. From what attendees have said, I gather that he takes up too much of the oxygen in the room when he’s part of Pianorama. The event has always been about piano brotherhood and sisterhood in the past. I’ve only attended one, and that was way back around 1999 or so when Anthony Burger was still the host.
For Daniel and others who felt Dino might not have been the best match for Pianorama, it must feel good knowing that speaking up to express an opinion sometimes works. In Daniel’s case, he’s getting precisely what he suggested.
I’m also impressed with Dino’s response (or lack thereof) to the changes. So far, he has not issued a press release begging his fans to petition the NQC board and get him back on the Pianorama showcase. Good for him. Although I’m not a huge fan of his style either as a player or in terms of stage presence, I’d love to see him take the hand he’s been dealt and make it a highlight of the week. It sure beats the whining and moaning you hear from some artists who feel they’ve been slighted by the NQC board.
I also applaud NQC for this move. I agree that Dino’s playing style and flamboyance don’t really fit in with other SGM pianists. I’ve only been to part of one Pianorama (2005, maybe?), but having him host gave me NO desire to attend.
“It sure beats the whining and moaning you hear from some artists who feel they’ve been slighted by the NQC board.”
AMEN! I don’t mind a simple “let the board know you’d like to hear us” note from artists if I’ve signed up for their newsletter, but anything beyond that usually doesn’t stir up much of my sympathy. Hey, there’s always next year for main stage, and the showcases can actually be a better fit for some groups.