With Rhapsody in Blue, George Gershwin managed to merge jazz and classical music - drawing praise from the lovers of both genres.

Over his lifetime, Scott Joplin composed over 40 original pieces, one ragtime ballet and two operas, earning him the moniker of King of Ragtime.

Austrian Joseph Haydn is considered the father of the classical symphony and string quartet, and an innovator in the composition of piano sonatas and trios. On the frigid last Saturday of January, the beautiful sanctuary of Knox United Church was awash with the creative genius of these composers and many others thanks to the talent of Ian Elliott. The cold certainly didn’t keep music lovers away.

The pews were full as long-time friends and music devotees came out to enjoy Ian’s skill. This concert was the culmination of Ian’s 28 years at a piano keyboard. “I began playing when I was in Grade 1 when we were living in Humboldt, taking lessons with a woman named Allison Sarauer for four years”, Ian said. “After we moved to Russell, I took lessons from Arlene Baschuk for two years.”

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