Annabelle Drumm

NATALYA PLAYS MUSIC FROM STUDIO GHIBLI CHOPIN STYLE

For centuries young musicians, fresh from their advanced music education, have been looking for ways to build their career. How to raise the profile? How to get hired? How to pay the bills without the dreaded day job? How to grow a following? Well, here is one exceedingly bright young pianist who has found her niche. Migrating from Estonia to Australia, Natalya Aynsley graduated from the Mitchell Conservatorium in regional New South Wales. In the few years since graduating she has taken great initiative in broadening her contacts offering accompaniment for rehearsals, playing for weddings, recitals, shows and concerts. The niche, however, is something quite unique. 

Beginning her Youtube channel 7 years ago (just one video that year) she built an impressive collection of video recordings, sometimes performing classical pieces but most often covers of film music which has drawn more than 20,000 subscribers and several million views. 

From here she refined her niche even more to Asian animated movies and her concert this weekend was even more specifically around music from the wild and wacky fantasy movies produced by Studio Ghibli.  The Theatre at The Concourse was a full house with a mostly young audience. From the very beginning they were enthusiastic in their support of her offering. Natalya performed music from the Studio’s famous movies such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbour Totoro but also their lesser known movies. 

Each piece had been beautifully arranged in the style of Chopin’s music by Lisa Nakazono and presented as Waltzes, Etudes and Nocturnes. Some pieces were impeccably simple and emotive, others fierce and demanding which Natalya handled with ease. The Concourse production crew made lovely lighting choices different for each piece to add variety and the amplified sound from the Steinway was excellent. Natalya’s clothing choice provided by “They call me Kitten d’Amour” perfectly matched the scene.

Natalya provided an off-the-cuff summary of each movie plot embellished with wit and humour but also adding production anecdotes and notable insights as to the trend in Studio preferences and plot formulas. Though the patter was sometimes a little tangled and fast, Natalya’s personality shone unapologetically and the audience adored her, instantly forgiving any story-telling flaw.

By the finale there was ample applause and cheering to encourage an encore and the audience left happy and satisfied. Brilliant work from Natalya and brava for her commercial initiative making a magnificent concert out of the hobby of animated movies – which she so clearly loves – into a viable stream of income. I can easily see her touring this show internationally.

Artist website: https://natalyaplayspiano.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/natalyaaynsley1/

 

Published by Annabelle Drumm

Annabelle Drumm grew up in a theatre family and has worked out front and behind the scenes of Arts, Media and Entertainment for the majority of her career. She was a professional Performing Artist herself for 9 years, ran a Dance Company for 6 years and founded a Performing Artists Booking Agency over 15 years promoting Artists from Australia and New Zealand to an international audience. She spent 10 years as a Creative Business Coach and was selected as an inaugural member of the Arts and Culture Advisory panel to the Inner West Council. She served as a Breakfast Radio Host for 2MBS Fine Music 102.5FM for 7 years, selected as Anchor Host for their "Live from the Joan" simulcast and provided Musicology talks at The Concourse and Sydney Opera House. She is passionate about supporting the Performing Arts in Australia offering her expertise with the goal of raising standards and growing live audience numbers.