Accomplished Pianist Gives Recital

A piano recital was given by Girma Yifrashewa is an accomplished pianist with a style of his own and marked lyrical disposition. In a piano recital at the Italian Cultural Institute on June 28, 1996 he showed his talent to the public. He played pieces from L.V. Beethoven, Debussy, Grieg and Chopin.
Girma, who is at present teaching at the Yared Music School, started music at early age by playing the Krar (lyre-like string instrument). Girma was born in1967 and joined the Yared Music School at the age of 16. That was his first contact with the piano. His outstanding record earned him the coveted Bulgarian Government Bursary to continue his studies under Professor Atanas Kourtev, in the Sofia State Conservatory of Music. He spent five years at the conservatory.

The fall of the sommunist regime in Bulgaria in1989, forced Girma to flee to Italy to continue his education. Life was hard for him there. In a piano recital at a Christmas concert his command of that exacting instrument and his innate artistic elegance immediately impressed his audience. After that arrangements were made by the organizers of the concert for Girma to meet an Italian maestero, Alessandro da Luca.

After that, with the help of his friends, the congregation of Christian Brothers help him to finish his education in Bulgaria. In 1994 he obtained his M.A. degree in pianoforte from the Sofia State Conservatory of Music of Bulgaria. While in Bulgaria he participated in good number of concerts, including three solo concerts.

Source: Addis Tribune - July 5, 1996