Ethan Loch rounds off Lanark group's piano recitals

Ethan (11), who is blind, launched the group’s fund to buy a new piano by playing his first solo recital for Music in Lanark in May last year.

The group has since been able to buy a new Kawai piano, thanks to generous sponsorship from Border Biscuits and generous donations from audiences and supporters.

The piano is seen as a community asset, and Music in Lanark organised the summer recials to allow the community to come and hear it played free of charge.

Most of the pianists have been from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and they have been quite brilliant.

The last recital in the series is by Ethan, the child prodigy from Falkirk. Those who saw him last year will remember that he is blind but can now “see” having learned echolocation from the American Daniel Kish, and Ethan is now studying at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. Ethan’s “echolocation” technique for “seeing” has beeen featured recently in programmes on BBC 1, and on Radio 4.

Daniel is flying over to do more work with Ethan, and plans to be at the concert.

Ethan’s programme on Sunday will include pieces by Chopin, Grieg, Debussy and Bartok. It will also feature the premier of his new composition The Haunted Tower.

The concert takes place at the Institute, New Lanark.