A performance in support of Pawel Kowalski at his Europe Day concert marks a big step in the career of Fatima Al Hashemi.
The Emirati pianist, who is from Abu Dhabi, will deliver her first-half recital on Wednesday – a half-hour programme dedicated to Chopin pieces.
“It is very nerve racking,” she says. “But I have been practising, and I am looking forward to stepping on that stage.”
The show is also a role-reversal of sorts for Al Hashemi. As an assistant instructor at The Piano Center in the capital, the 28-year-old is more used to helping other pianists improve their recitals than performing one of her own.
“This will be a very different experience for me as I would prefer to be in the class rather than performing up there,” she says.
“My teachers have encouraged me and told me that I have a touch of Chopin in my playing, so I am comfortable in showing that to the audience.”
