The Recorder – Four hands, one piano: Brick Church Music S…

With the calendar flipping to September, the Brick Church Music Series returns to close out its fall season.

The long-running annual music series kicks off the final leg of its year with two acts that fans have loved in the past. Joining together for the Brick Church’s first four hand piano concert — a duet where both artists play the same piano — since at least 2019, Pi-Hsun Shih and Yu-Mei Wei will treat folks to an afternoon of Mozart and Maurice Ravel compositions, among others.

“They have a similar talent and feeling for music and they suggested to me that they could do a four-hand concert,” said First Church of Deerfield Artistic Director Jean Pitman Turner. “I’m looking forward to this one, we couldn’t have better artists than Pi-Hsun and Yu-Mei.”

Both musicians have enjoyed solo careers and teach music full time, with Shih serving as an instructor at the University of Hartford and Wei teaching at Deerfield Academy.

Shih and Wei have both previously performed in the Brick Church Music Series. Pitman Turner said she’s drawn to the two pianists’ ability to not only play the piano, but also their knack at bringing in the audience.

Pitman Turner said the two artists met at a Brick Church concert held last year — in which Shih performed alongside another artist — and they bonded instantly.

“They play with passion and that’s what I’m looking for with all my artists,” Pitman Turner said. “They are wonderful as musicians, but they put heart into their music and they connect with the audience, which is what I enjoy.”

Shih and Wei will begin their concert at 3 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St., and a suggested donation of $10 to $20 is requested because the event is a fundraiser for the church. Following the show, a reception will be held in Deerfield Academy’s Caswell Library. Accessible parking is available in the rear of the church.

Reflecting on the spring leg of the Brick Church Music Series, Pitman Turner said they had a successful run, with attendees packing the church for its two shows.

“It was a great season,” she said. “We had increased attendance and everybody seemed to be pleased with the fare we offered them, so we are all looking forward to the new season.”

The Brick Church Music Series closes out the 2023 season on Oct. 22 with Massachusetts organist and rising star Amanda Mole.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.