Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Friday, February 15, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - It isn't his first time coming to Yellowknife, but classical pianist Boris Konovalov still has a thing or two to teach Yellowknifers about music.

Konovalov, originally from Russia and now living in Edmonton, has been to the city about half a dozen times in the past eight years to entertain and to teach music students and teachers what he knows about the piano.

Last year, he mixed it up a little during his performance and spoke between Beethoven pieces to educate the audience about the pieces he was playing.

"Last year was the first time he spoke about the pieces ... and the audience loved it," said Alice Hilchey, who is organizing his visit to the city this week.

So on Monday, when he performs at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, he'll be adding some dialogue to his musical performance once again.

"This time it will be some special event, because the whole evening will be dedicated to the music of Chopin, and I will talk about it, about his music," said Konovalov.

The show, called The Unknown Chopin, will feature many of the composer's lesser known works. He said people who know of the composer's more popular work will still experience something new at the concert.

"This was my choice, and I think a lot of people are already interested in this program," he said.

NACC is but one of the places Konovalov will bring his musical talent during his Northern trip. Along with the performance, Hilchey said his days are jam-packed with workshops and sessions designed to help music teachers and music students learn a little more about classical piano.

"He teaches in little groups; he'll take groups of children," she said. "He also does individual private lessons for more advanced students."

Most of his time in Yellowknife has already been booked up by such lessons, said Hilchey, from early in the mornings to late in the evenings. But music students hoping for a session with him may still be in luck as a couple of cancellations have been made.

"His schedule has been really packed because there's been so much demand," said Hilchey.

His public performance will take place on Monday night at 7 p.m.