NEED TO KNOW
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A 21-year-old university student replaced the pianist who played in the film. «La La Land» in Sydney after he fell ill.
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Sterling Nasa improvised a complex solo, earning a standing ovation from the 2,500-strong audience.
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Composer Justin Hurwitz, who wrote the score for the 2016 Oscar-winning film, praised NASA's craftsmanship, calling its improvised performance "remarkable.".
A university student found himself on stage in front of 2,500 people alongside professional musicians after a pianist fell ill during a concert in Sydney last weekend.
Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz, who scored the film «La La Land» In 2016, midway through the La La Land concert show at the Darling Harbour Concert Hall on Saturday, May 30, he asked the audience for a pianist.
In a video posted by Australian television channel 7NEWS, he said, "Is there anyone in this room who's a fantastic sight-reader?" referring to the ability to accurately play a sheet of music on the piano after just looking at it. "On the keyboard. Is there anyone in this room who's a fantastic sight-reader?"«
«"Can you sight-read music?" Gurwitz continued, apparently pointing at someone in the crowd, as the audience began to applaud and cheer.
Sterling Nasa was sitting in the back of the audience when a friend invited him on stage. The 21-year-old, who had bought tickets to the show, soon became part of the performance, an experience he will never forget.
The Sydney International Convention Centre, home to the Darling Harbour Theatre. Photo: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty
NASA told 7NEWS: "I'm just glad I was able to make my small contribution to this incredible orchestra.".
A political science and international relations student found himself in the spotlight, talking with the very composer he had long admired while simultaneously examining a complex score of works he had never performed before.
«"Until he started playing, I didn't know how things would go, I was really nervous," Hurwitz told 7NEWS. "But I just tried to trust him and have fun. Once he started playing, I was impressed.".
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Hurwitz told Guardian Australia that he and his team panicked during the extended break, and the musicians even called to ask for replacement performers to arrive 15-20 minutes early.
But he realized that time was running out and turned to the audience for help.
NASA faced some challenges during its performance of John Legend's "Start a Fire," as it features a complex synth solo that was written to match the chaotic hand movements of Sebastian Wilder, played on screen by Ryan Gosling.
«"The synthesizer solo is really technical, and I thought even a very high-class professional sight-reader would have a hard time performing it," Hurwitz told the publication.
Nasa then decided to improvise and led the entire orchestra in performing the piece, earning him a standing ovation from the audience.
«"He anticipated it... and just improvised," Hurwitz, who won the Oscar for Best Original Score for "La La Land" in 2017, added in an interview with the publication.
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in "La La Land" (2016). Photo: Lionsgate
«"It's a completely different skill than just sight-reading music. Being able to play a truly amazing solo in the right key, in the right scale, on the fly, without rehearsal—that was incredible.".
While the film crew frantically searches for pianists to prepare for upcoming performances, Nasa has returned to his university lectures, but described the experience as "a real blessing.".
Read the original article on People.