Terrence Wilson, renowned pianist and recitalist, gave an outstanding performance on Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, in Dillard Auditorium as part of this year’s WSSU Lyceum Cultural Events Academic Series.
Since its inception, the series has helped students, as well as faculty and community members, to be exposed to some of the biggest names in fine arts.?Wilson fell right in line with every one of his predecessors.
The first quality that one appreciates during one of Wilson’s recitals is his ability to make the piano seem like nothing more than an extension of his natural body.?Not only do the fingers on the ivory keys and the feet on the brass pedals participate in the delivery of each classical piece; but his mouth, eyebrows, arms and indeed his entire body are dedicated to imparting to the audience all of the emotion that the music brings to him.?And emotion is certainly a key factor in Wilson’s performances.?He handles his dynamics so masterfully that each selection seems to speak to you and share its meaning without you ever knowing its title or being familiar with the composer’s intentions.?Everything from his superb control of tempo to his precise staccatos, dramatic crescendos and smooth decrescendos comes together to put the audience on edge as if they were watching a stranger unexpectedly pouring out his soul.?
Such delivery could only come from true skill and years of training, both of which Wilson? certainly has under his belt. The Bronx native is a graduate of The Juilliard School, but his musical education began around the age of 8, studying with local piano teachers as well as Sayuri Iida, a graduate of his future alma mater; and Yoheved Kaplinsky.?At 14, he performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra during one of its youth concerts, and he has been touring across the U.S. and abroad ever since.
Wilson’s presentation at WSSU showed students an example of a musician who loves his calling and dedicates his life to it. The combination of skill and passion was hard to miss, and it left true music lovers thoroughly satisfied.