Ethiopian thrills fans KAMPALA

Musical shows are traditionally noisy, congested and unruly but a piano concert hall is very different. A disciplined silent audience holding their breath I the air conditioned room and sighs of relief punctuate the quiet. Contrary to expectations of a wild gyration by queen dancer, this one was a solo artist’s show.
Girma Yifrashewa threw himself so enthusiastically into playing the piano. He was skillfully digging up those wonderful Mozart sonatas. In Ethiopian culture, all Girma did after a silent applause and claps, was to bow before the audience after performing every symphony. His varies of spine tingling compositions comprised Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven’s sonatas. Always in control, he had an extraordinary facility for management of the giant instrument. The show was engulfed in a drop pin silence from the highbrow audience. If one rustled a paper in a notebook, it would be audible. Forget trendy frocks, Girma donned an Ethiopian while tropical suit. After 30 minutes of twangs! tinges and bang bang! There was a break of 15-20 minutes. Folks swallowed fruit juices, spirits and beer and anxiously dirked back to the hall. They again sat attentively for more piano.

Source: The New Vision-Friday, April 9, 2004