“A musician set the world record for the highest ever classical music concert after she played a grand piano up a 5,000m Himalayan mountain pass,” reads an unsigned Sunday (1/6) article in the Independent (U.K.). “Evelina De Lain, 41, performed Chopin’s Nocturnes No. 2 in E flat major and No. 20 in C sharp minor during the 90-minute performance. She also played his ‘Raindrop’ Prelude Op. 28 No. 15, as well as compositions from her solo album Soul Journey. The pianist was joined by a team who helped to drive and carry the Challen piano to the Singela Pass in the Himalayas, India. Concert in the Clouds raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and the piano was donated to a local school…. The London-based performer … originally from Ukraine, … was taught how to play and enjoy classical music by her mother…. Ms. De Lain bought a piano from Desmond Gentle, who owned a shop for refurbished pianos…. Mr. Gentle convinced Ms. De Lain to attempt the record-breaking concert. ‘I definitely had to pool my resources to keep going…. At the time the altitude wasn’t bothering me much but the next day I fainted in the airport.’ ”
Posted January 10, 2019
