Novice pianists and seasoned pros shared their talents at SickKids

By Rebecca Alberico

The sweet stylings of Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin echoed through the Slaight Family Atrium at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), one of the venues for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s (TSO) Pianos in the City event.

SickKids staff patients and families enjoyed the talent of festival curator and Grammy-award winning pianist Emanuel Ax as well as acclaimed Canadian piano duo Anagnoson & Kinton, who hosted the SickKids event.

The overwhelming talent and the beautiful Steinway grand piano inspired young patients, families and SickKids staff to play a tune or two for the crowd.

“I’ve loved playing the piano from day one,” said Dr. Charles Deber, Senior Scientist, Molecular Structure and Function. “My parents never had to ask me to sit down and practice, I always did it.”

Dr. Darius Bagli, Associate Surgeon-in-Chief, Department of Surgery, also carved time out of his schedule to join in the musical fun.  

“I have a Steinway at home and I’ve been playing more recently than I have in years – I’m always looking for new opportunities to play,” said Dr. Bagli.

Bagli loved the idea of the TSO partnering with SickKids to bring Pianos in the City to the hospital. He hopes that more of these events can happen in the future.

Peter Oundijan, Music Director at TSO was also in attendance. “SickKids is such an incredibly significant organization in our city,” said Oundijan.

Oundijan, a former SickKids patient, holds a special place in his heart for the paediatric hospital that saved his life. He jumped at the opportunity to include it as one of the locations for the event.

Pianos in the City was the kickoff event of the TSO’s RBC Piano Extravaganza, which runs until Feb. 14.