YOUNG pianists were joined by professionals in a sell-out concert held to celebrate the arrival of new pianos at a local school.

The newly delivered Steinway Model ‘B’ grand piano at St Albans School was given its first public hearing by virtuoso pianist Alissa Firsova. She gave an expressive performance of Po�mes by Alexander Scriabin while Anna le Hair coaxed the instrument through the Faur�’s Nocturne No. 6.

The staff of the school’s music department also played, including a jazzy two-hander from composition teacher, Phil Craig.

Ten students stepped up to perform, showcasing the potential of the piano. Nick Fleet performed Debussy’s Valse Romantique and David McConnell played the evergreen Rachmaninov C# minor Prelude.

Hugh Myers and Alex Shavick brought out controlled but heartfelt melancholy in Chopin’s Op. 9 No. 2 Nocturne and E major Op. 10 �tude.

Oliver Ng’s and David Cartwright’s performances of the considerably faster and more fiery Grieg Holberg Prelude and Chopin Fantasie Impromptu were also well received.