'Honorary Islander' to play Canada 150 piano recital

A special piano recital, Music Before and After Confederationwill be performed by a descendant of one of theFathers of Confederation Sunday in Charlottetown.

International masterpianistAlanFraserwill perform the recital in St. Paul's Church with special guests, his daughter, MashaFraserand pianist Audrey Dumont of France.

Fraser's great-great-great grandfather, George Coles,is one of the men in the famous Fathers of Confederation painting. Fraser has even grownmutton chops inhonour of his esteemed ancestor.

While he grew up in Montreal, Fraserhas Island connections.

"I consider myself an honorary Islander," he told CBC:PEI Mainstreet's Angela Walker.

Fraser now lives in Serbia where he moved after learning a piano technique that allows a pianist to use their body to play. He has developed a program that incorporates these ideas and teaches themto others.

Mashasaid she began taking piano lessons at age five and is happy to be returning to P.E.I. to perform.

Dumont is a student who said what she has learned from Fraserhas improved her playing.

"St. Paul's church is a very special place, the acoustics are extraordinary," said Fraser. "I've always loved playing there."

Funds raised at the recital, set to begin at 7:30 p.m., will helpsupport St.Paul's social justice programming.

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