With a majestic and historical background, the 100-year-old Five Wounds Portuguese National Parish recently was the romantic setting for a performance by Katya Grineva, an internationally known solo pianist.
Candles surrounded the pianist as she mesmerized the audience with her repertoire by Chopin (Nocturne in E Flat Major op.9 and Fantasie Impromptu), Mozart (Sonata in A Major Three Movements), Schubert/Liszt (Ave Maria), Clara Schumann (Romanze op. 21 no 4 (rarely performed), Debussy (Clarie de Lune), Ravel, (Bolero) and Roger, (Walts Fantasia).
Father Antonio Silveira, pastor, welcomed parishioners, friends, neighbors, and music enthusiasts to the concert and thanked them for their presence.
Katya, who performed at the parish on February 8th, was born in Russia and has played throughout the United States, Guam, Europe, South America, Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. Her dream to play at the iconic Carnegie Hall will come true on December 20, 2020 in New York City.
She is no stranger to California and has done many benefit concerts. Because her father was a cancer researcher and she lost her mother to cancer, she annually donates proceeds from her concerts to Cancer CAREpoint, a San Jose non-profit, which provides free non-medical services to cancer patients and caregivers.
As the evening drew to a close, Father Silveira thanked all for attending, especially two anonymous parishioners who sponsored the concert. A standing applause followed by the attendees for a memorable and enchanting evening.
As music continues to brighten this Centennial Historic Church, parishioners, friends, and music enthusiasts are invited to another free concert on May 2 at 7:30 pm, with tenor Meté Tasin.