Germany's Pianotainment takes centre stage in Bahrain mixing piano comedy, virtuosity

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Pianotainment, a spectacular four-handed piano show that has dazzled the world for over 25 years, is set to enthral music enthusiasts at the Bahrain Cultural Hall on Wednesday evening with a world-class act.

Starring German concert pianists Stephan Weh and Marcel Dorn, the award-winning “crossover” show is the perfect symbiosis between piano comedy and amazing virtuosity. Unique, wacky and endlessly entertaining, the performance, a fascinating concert experience for young and old alike, has wowed audiences in over 100 countries.

The performance in Bahrain, part of the Spring of Culture Festival, is organized in collaboration with the German embassy in the Kingdom.

Pianotainment started in 1996 and has since been unchanged. It was founded by the two German entertainers Stephan Weh (born 1976) and Marcel Dorn (born 1977).

The two Humorous gentlemen from Bavaria both underwent intensive classical piano training starting as toddlers before undergoing auto-didactical training in jazz and blues.

Dreaming of a new kind of jazz piano performance, delivered with technical prowess and a good dose of humour, the Pianotainment show was born.

Soon they were introduced into the exclusive round of Blüthner-Official-Artists, an exquisite list of internationally outstanding pianists.

In Germany, the duo showcased at the 2006 World Cup and performed for the UNICEF Gala Concert benefiting the Tsunami victims.

Their performances range from classical music to folk, jazz, Latin, and hits from the current rock and pop scene - delivered with style.

In 2008, more than 25.000 independent entertainment insiders voted the duo into Germany's TOP TEN Entertainers circle (Conga Award).

Weh and Dorn were assigned to be judges in the finals of the biggest piano competition of all time in China.

German Ambassador to Bahrain Ambassador Kai Boeckmann has been deeply engaged in promoting closer cultural cooperation with the Kingdom through a host of activities that have included concerts, shows and a German film festival.

In November, Arcis Saxophone Quartet enthralled the audience at the Cultural Hall with an outstanding performance of their "Colors of the Saxophone" concert.

The second edition of the Gulf German Film Festival in Bahrain was held in December.