One Piano, four hands

Pianists Alia Kheirbek and Rania Ejeilat join us for a week of exclusive masterclasses and captivating performances.

On April 24 Goethe-Institut Jordan had the pleasure of hosting a captivating musical evening as the two renowned pianists Alia Kheirbek and Rania Ejeilat shared one piano for a dazzling four-handed performance in a rare and intimate concert setting at Halim Salfiti Auditorium in the heart of Shmeisani.

The concert featured works by renowned composers including Ravel, Grieg, Dvořák, and Schubert, all unified by themes of youth and nature. Both pianists emphasized the relevance and emotional depth of these compositions, especially in light of the current global conflicts and instability. The pianists also noted the Jordanian audience’s exceptional warmth and passionate appreciation for music, which was strongly felt throughout the performance.

Both musicians emphasised how much their intercultural educational backgrounds and their engagement with different cultures and traditions have shaped their personal understanding of music and art. Rania Ejeilat received her piano training in Amman, Cincinnati and Trossingen, while Alia Kheirbek studied in Leipzig and Porto, among other places. Since then, both musicians have been internationally active as concert pianists, music teachers and accompanists.
  In collaboration with the National Music Conservatory the Goethe-Institut Jordan hosted Alia Kheirbek for an exclusive masterclass for young musicians from Jordan. During the two-day workshop, six participants benefited from the renowned pianist and piano teacher's extensive knowledge in all aspects of musical performance.
  The six participants with varying experience presented pieces in different styles, before working with Alia Kheirbek on selected aspects of their playing, such as technique and musical interpretation. Although a native Arabic speaker, this was the first time the music teacher had taught in Arabic, which led her to find completely new terms and images to convey her approaches, which the participants accepted with great curiosity, as Alia Kheirbek emphasised.