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The Mephisto Waltz
Year 13 student, Zengo, comes from a very musical family: his father is a classical guitarist who studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, his mother was an opera singer in Hungary, and his grandfather was a famous oboist who performed with the Hungarian National Philharmonic orchestra.
So, when a 13-year-old Zengo woke up one morning thinking, 'I need to play the piano', nobody in his family batted an eyelid. His dad bought him a keyboard, and playing entirely by ear, he would listen to music and play on his own as often as he could.
That is, until Mr Earl - our Head of Music at Valley Park until 2021 - recognised the extraordinary talent he was witnessing, and suggested Zengo study Music for GCSE.
Mr Earl then contacted Richard Meyrick, who is passionate about getting young people involved in classical music and, with generous sponsorship from Man Group plc, started The Pianoman Scholarship Scheme in London, which, with the generous patronage of Sir Harvey and Lady McGrath, awards free lessons to worthy young pianists, many coming from less fortunate families and deprived social backgrounds. Students often go on to study music at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and The Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Zengo now has regular piano lessons with Richard Meyerick, and recently attended a residential course at Tonbridge School. The course culminated with a recital, in which Zengo performed Franz Liszt's Mephisto Waltz – one of the most difficult piano pieces ever composed. This recital, which you can watch below, was recorded in the presence of the sponsors, Sir Harvey and Lady McGrath, world renown pianist Gabriele Beldocci, as well as parents and honoured guests.
Since this recital, Zengo has been awarded a scholarship to the London Bluthner Piano Centre, where he will go to perform and study further whilst still in sixth form at Valley Park. When Zengo finishes sixth form in July of next year, he will be studying music at The Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Until then, Zengo says he will keep practising, playing, and performing in more concerts, as well as entering competitions in the hope of becoming better known. Meanwhile, we have the pleasure of hearing Zengo’s extraordinary performances at all our musical events.