Mahani Teave: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Tom Huizenga | June 24, 2021
Our Tiny Desk (home) concerts have visited many faraway places - from Lang Lang in China to Mdou Moctar in Niger - but none as far-flung as Easter Island. The 63-square-mile isle, called Rapa Nui by its residents, is located some 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile.
And yes, classical music thrives there - thanks largely to Mahani Teave, the pianist who offers this engaging performance from the music school she co-founded. As a child, Teave saw the first piano brought to the island in 1992 and dreamed of becoming a world-class concert pianist. It was a dream she fulfilled, but just as she was poised to launch her international career, an even stronger dream tugged at her heart.
In 2014, she broke ground on the Toki School of Music, aiming to teach traditional and classical music to Easter Island's children. Constructed from over 2,500 used tires and 60,000 cans and bottles, the building, with its cisterns and solar power, is a testament to Teave's vision for sustainability.
Even the straight-back yellow chair Teave uses as a piano bench in this performance seems repurposed from her kitchen. She begins with a sparkling Allemande by Handel, followed by a beguiling performance of a Chopin Nocturne. Teave closes with an ancestral song , featuring sisters Eva and Tama Tucki Dreyer. The story follows Rapa Nui's first king, whose reign coincided with a natural disaster. It's a metaphor, Teave says, for our planet, to "leave this place a little bit better than how we found it." With her fine playing and her music school, Teave has done exactly that.
SET LIST
George Frideric Handel: "Suite No. 5 in E, II. Allemande"
Frédéric Chopin: "Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1"
Traditional: "I hē a Hotumatu'a e hura nei"
MUSICIANS
Mahani Teave: piano
Eva Tucki Dreyer: vocals
Tama Tucki Dreyer: vocals
CREDITS
Video and Audio: Sergio Moya
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Tom Huizenga
Video Producer: Kara Frame
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin, Andy Huether
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Maia Stern, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#mahaniteave #tinydesk #nprmusic

[@lynnleopold1476]

She’s my cousin once-removed and a most remarkable musician and human being. So generous and warm-hearted and loves sharing her music with those who will listen.

[@matias12381]

She feel the music, this video i see once again and again and again, she inspired me, i hope she continues will be showed your music mmm I'm practice the english and i don't know if makes me understand it. pd: si habla con ella, dígale que gracias y que pueda inspirar a los niños de Chile, se necesitan personas como ella para que las nuevas generaciones puedan seguir mejorando y ojalá se expanda el piano, sería un sueño hecho realidad que nuestro país comience a tener conciertos de piano en jóvenes, una práctica típica de asia.

[@EduAlexification]

For you to know: the name Easter Island was given by Dutch explorer Jakov Roggeveen who found the island on Easter Sunday of 1722. Even though the island had been inhabitated by centuries the name he gave the island was the one that got popular. Roggeven was the first ever recorded European visitor. A couple of years ago the official name of the island was changed by the Chilean government to 'Rapa Nui', the way its inhabitants name it, how it always should have been.

[@aquilachefba-ados]

Thank you for that!💙🌊

[@bhalejos]

I didn't know the name change had gone official, that is GREAT news! When I used to live in Chile always wanted to travel there, but then it was almost impossibly expensive. Do they still speak Spanish?

[@EduAlexification]

@@bhalejos it is still very expensive because of all the imports the island need to function well. And yes, Spanish coexists with Rapa Nui in the island.

[@smenezes5359]

So what was it called before that?

[@bhalejos]

@@smenezes5359 “Easter Island”, “Isla de Pascua”, in Spanish.

[@simonperez7415]

Happy to see how Tiny Desk is going beyond the music and showing a whole context around it as a project of life.

[@mmr713]

Qué orgullo para Rapa Nui tener a una gran artista como lo es Mahani. Qué emoción y privilegio poder disfrutar de su gran talento a través de estos conciertos.

[@AliIKarimi]

Spent a year in Chile in 2011. Amazing country, wonderful people, I miss it every day. Chi Chi Chi! Le Le Le! Viva Chile!

[@screachog-reilige]

Cool story bro

[@AliIKarimi]

@@screachog-reilige thank you!

[@jonanderson4511]

I would really love to visit. Seeing this just amplifies my interest in exploring that amazing country.

[@MariaArroyo-Segovia]

❤

[@sawatisbillings8759]

Easter Islanders have a nice school and awesome piano teacher.

[@melitaturraturra7702]

Belleza absoluta , magnìfico

[@stevenbarall9227]

This is everything that is good about music.

Rapa Nui and Chile, we are blessed of having such a wonderful woman and amazing pianist among us, helping to make culture closer to the people. We need more people like her!

[@drip7547]

among us

[@seanrimada8571]

Eso

[@seanrimada8571]

There is only one us and it’s called “humanidad”

@@seanrimada8571 yes, you are right. Wherever someone does she does, that person helps to make all the world and all of us better.

[@EnzoFuentesBarcelli]

Que orgullo más grande poder ver una representante del pueblo Rapa Nui en NPR Music. Hermosas interpretaciones, un abrazo desde Chile

[@cristobalv]

tremendo !!!!!

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - George Frideric Handel: *Suite No.5 in E major, II. Allemande* (1:46) 4:01 - Frédéric Chopin: *Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op.9, No.1* (9:29) 10:57 - Traditional: *I hē a Hotumatu'a e hura nei* [15:10 - Tiny Desk team]

[@rudystardust]

We should be proud of our musicians. Mahani Teave is a living example of doing things well and, at the same time, doing good to others. Thank you very much npr and Tiny Desk for one of the best documents in your history. ¡Viva Chile mierda! 😍🇨🇱✨

[@aimara8307]

Larga vida a la cultura!!!! estamos ávidos de esta sensibilidad. Mahani gratitud por tu ser y por la maravillosa huella que estas plasmando en el mundo, en Rapa Nui, en nuestros corazones y conciencia. Larga vida a la cultura que re -une pueblos, personas, sin fronteras a través de la musica, del arte.

[@photoipster]

What an amazing human….

[@snowstrobe]

That was sweet. It's always a pleasure to see every day people getting on with making their communities richer.

[@4lfr3d0]

Oh, I was there in 2017, with Mahani and his husband. All the kids around and the circular main hall. A beauty inside a beauty. It was amazing watch her pyating piano here in this great yotube channel. Bravo Mahani!!!

[@davidstrumsky7012]

Wow... Anyone who chooses to play (and *understands*) the inner worlds of the rarely heard Chopin Nocturne in B-flat minor so well, and presents so respectfully, this Gift, deserves my heartfelt gratitude and deepest appreciation. Wow.

[@Vicente-sd8bi]

What a lovely person Mahani is . Beautiful little ladies and beautiful singing too. Thanks so much for all this inspiring performance.

[@Adam-kv3nq]

Last piece made me cry - thank you

[@srpelissier]

aha, me too :-)

[@wjanice7501]

me too

[@milenamagana]

Maravillosa ella y su trabajo en la isla 🙏

[@fiorinna]

From Rapa Nui, Chile I LOVE!

[@josemiguelgarcia1908]

Mahani from RAPANUI is the Queen of piano .. Thank Tiny Desk by this amazing show. BIG UP MAHANI and RAPANUI ISLAND 👐

[@jeffmorrison2915]

What a beautiful performance, charming ambiance, captivating talent and passionate presentation of the music school's beauties. Ms. Teave, you're one of those people who make this world a better place. Thank you.

[@seanrimada8571]

The only aspect more astonishing than her beauty is her marvelous spirit! Thank you very much, your intentions are legit and pure.

[@peteratkinson2392]

Wow! I was enraptured by Mahani's playing, her young singers as well as the space and design of the music school and the ideas and effort that went into it all. Lovely!

[@michellem.4358]

Watching the documentary, Eating Up Easter, would be a great place to start learning more about the music school and Easter Island.

[@absalommahlangu9696]

She plays beautifully' so soft and elegant

[@Ficwallmapu]

Küme dungu lamngen Mahani!! Hermoso trabajo el que realizan con la Escuela de Música y las Artes de Rapa Nui.

[@ian9894]

wow. this was totally unexpected. This was beautiful in every aspect. Thank you for your performance it was uplifting.

[@legadovivo1442]

iorana! desde el continente admirando toda la majestuosidad de esta gran maestra y mujer guerrera

[@eliznaomistuart]

Beautiful - and much needed! Thank you Tiny Desk for bringing in more musical variety - and reaching out to interesting communities! SUPER cool that their music school is an Earthship!!

[@shanefiddle]

I agree! So inspiring ☺️

[@gw5976]

Que hermoso, y que bella su expresión de sentir la música... Increíble!!! Un abrazo al pueblo Rapa Nui desde Chile!!

[@glimpsecl]

Segunda Chilena en Tiny Desk!!! la primera fue otra grande de Chile, Anita Tijoux. Un abrazo a los pueblos originarios de esta zona del planeta, especialmente al pueblo Rapa Nui.

[@coicobrown]

@@glimpsecl También estuvo Mon Laferte

[@wilsonmateus6389]

Hermosa fusión de la belleza polinésica de Mahani con la música que eleva el espíritu... Fuerte abrazo desde Costa Rica...

[@estebanmoralesreyes1033]

Maravilloso lugar maravilloso espectáculo musical

[@CeleriiMuffin]

YES TINY DESK CONCERTS FOR CLASSICAL MUSICIANS!!!!!

[@folkeholmberg3519]

Women are the saviours of our world 🌏

[@markdarnell614]

Ye! They have ALWAYS Been!

[@patriciacasas3883]

Mahani siempre tan dulce, tanta sensibilidad, tanto amor; escucharte es transportarse a otra dimensión. Gracias por tanta emoción! !! Tu Isla debe estar orgullosa de ti. Y tu escuela, hermosa!!!Felicitaciones como siempre.

[@sebastianschoeler599]

I started listening to this tiny desk and I loved it! Then, searching on the internet i realized she's Rapa Nui. So glad to be Chilean 👏🏻❤️

[@georgefog8380]

That's beautiful, that's how paradise looks ands sounds like

[@fonkamex]

From the country of Claudio Arrau there is a tradition of amazing pianists over there. She is very good and the school is perfect for Eastern Island - Rapa Nui

[@peter_draws]

This was beautiful and inspiring to watch this morning, thank you.

[@sabrina.claudio3184]

I totally agree ! So uplifting

[@coicobrown]

I´m a fan of both :-)

[@theherk]

Yo. My favourite drawing artist commenting on my favourite music channel. What a world. You’re awesome.

[@PlaylistsForCymphony]

Nice to have you here Peter

[@up-down-left-right]

I didn't know what style of music to expect when I clicked the "play" button. What a surprise! Excellent performance, and what a beautiful school 🥰

[@OrigenNeoSoul]

realmente hermoso

[@Jesus.X]

the sound is always incredible on these npr concerts on the earbuds

[@pav5355]

this music, these people and this story are so beautiful. "live life for the children" said marvin gaye, wise as ever. thank you

[@ggonzalez2676]

Imagine having her as your neighbour and listening to that piano all day ❤️

[@yeahrightbear8883]

Honestly it would probably get annoying after a while.

[@sebastianignacioarayadinam8068]

Te volví loco, ¿imagínate todo el día? honestamente creo que te vuelves loco sí no tienes tu Centro, mira Charly García ¿o acaso es muy Normal? ¿o Sir Bethoveen? Quedaban crazy pero mal.

[@sebastianignacioarayadinam8068]

Te recomiendo ver la Penícula Claroscuro y te vas a dar Cuenta de lo que te digo.

[@sebastianignacioarayadinam8068]

Claroscuro*

[@ggonzalez2676]

@@sebastianignacioarayadinam8068 Es mi instrumento favorito. No me cansaría de escucharlo! 😂. Es como escuchar música en un disco o la radio.

[@Diego_Occhipinti]

Watching this I remember that one must not waste a single second at any place or path or anyrhing for what one was not born. Some people make this life and this world a place where there can still be hope. Just shining on being themselves apart from what is set by mainstream

[@poetparagraph]

Thanks Tiny Desk for introducing me to another brilliant musician. Watching with my children, it’s great

[@davidgpeterson]

Beautiful woman performing beautiful music amidst beautiful architecture...and a camera dude in a red tshirt....

[@LKDelahunty]

How is it possible to give this a thumbs down?! This is absolutely beautiful music and very cool construction of the school. What an amazing Tiny Desk concert.... Thank you! ❤️ This made my mundane Thursday so much brighter :)

[@alejandromonestier7710]

Parkinson's disease

[@robbeers6001]

Thank you NPR ❗❗❗

[@nomadescallejeros7006]

Emoción ❤️☀️ sonidos que te cambian la mañana

[@chachisymphony4754]

Gorgeous!! THANK YOU EASTER ISLAND and TINY DESK!!! Keeping us positive and healthy of mind, body and soul!! x x

[@cpnaudon]

just WOW! thank you Tiny Desk!!!

[@jonysatie]

Se me pararon los pelos con la pieza tradicional, esos hermosos arreglos y la interpretación de Mahani y las coristas.

[@kravisoficiaal]

Lo mas hermoso que hemos visto hoy, gracias Mahani, desde Valdivia te adoramos

[@gustavodanielmunizagavega7577]

Mahani Teave, que bellla interpretación, manos maravillosas, y el coro magnífico

[@marcoesquandolez]

She has a gorgeous way of making the music really sing

[@joooaosilva2200]

Isso é lindo!!!!!!!! Nós amamos música clássica, parabéns viu! Deus abençoe!!!! 🇧🇷 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@Sc0tther]

Wow, that studio is marvelous.

[@cata898]

Una grande Mahani! mucho respeto hacia ti, tengo familia en rapa nui y me alegra tanto escuchar que estás entregándoles tanto a una comunidad que ha sufrido, pero que ha sabido levantarse en conjunto

[@luismunval5911]

Mi dia iluminado por Mahani Teave... Simplemente maravillosa.

[@NickHchaos]

The magical trio: beautiful subject, setting, and music.

[@renzolucasantoniolagomarsi9171]

¡Que hermosa Música! Chile es un país hermoso, saludos de Chile.

[@julespalliser2964]

Fabulous, fabulous...and the great architectural dicovery of Mike Reynold's Earth Ships utilising thermal mass. The most beautiful homes on the planet. Well done Mahani for being so inspired all round ! x

[@arielazcurra]

13:36 that left hand arpeggio makes me fly. Thank you for this beautiful music 🙏🏼✨

[@elenaban7092]

Mujer empoderada, sensible y gran artista.

[@Alesfu]

Mahani Teave eres una inspiración

[@joemug4079]

I think I saw a documentary on her on PBS. Easter island is very lucky to have her, and any classical musicians.

[@chowooart]

아름답습니다 연주하시는 모습도.. 꽃 한송이로 인해 더욱 사랑스럽게 변신을~~♡.♡

[@peterchong6285]

What a great story on PBS which I happened to see one year ago on TV!

[@joemug4079]

They deserve a grand piano.

[@hectorgomezjofre5358]

que bello descubrimiento, el Nocturne de Chopin me recordó al maestro Arrau, muchas gracias por difundir tu talento

[@juancristoballopezbobadill8794]

Amazing country and wonderful people!! Chi chi chi!! Le le le !!! Viva Chile!!

[@rodrigolopezleal]

Thanks Mahani!! . A really beautiful music from Easter island, plenty of respectful and connected with the nature. I hope this children’s may follow your dreams to build a better world . Bravo 👏!!!

[@Baylow94]

"Ah! A stray camera person! 😱" I love it! It's a little touch you hardly ever see these days This was beautiful, and somewhat personal(? I think intimate would be a better word)

[@juanquintallana3134]

Qué maravilla!! Por la música, por Mahani, por la isla, por estos días. Muchas gracias!💖

[@alwinian]

Great playing and thank you for showing us your environmentally friendly, economic (and amazing) music school. Wonderful!

[@mikerocklin8502]

Very inspiring in both music and environmental science. I plan to visit Easter Island ASAP to soak up the vibes coming from loving inhabitants thereof

[@antoniaacuna101]

Muchas gracias por la increíble música y la increíble labor educando íntegramente en música y forma de vida a las y los niños!!! Gracias NPR!!

[@sursidejr]

somos el mejor pais de Chile hermano

[@seanrimada8571]

Chile es un país

[@maramatepano1749]

Hermano, chile es un país(🤣🤣?

[@benjaminfuentes9188]

@@seanrimada8571 falta calle parece

[@claudiaroa5862]

@@maramatepano1749 les falta calleeee, wa

[@cristianhenriquez597]

@@benjaminfuentes9188 falta pobreza

[@Natugrafia]

Notable la fundación y construcción de la escuela de música en Rapa Nui, maravilloso proyecto y maravillosa interpretación de Mahani! aplausos de pie! =)

[@impulse60]

My stress level just went from warp speed to snail's pace. Thank you, Mahani Teave!

[@StreetCarma]

My 3 year old son just came in and said, this girl is very beautiful, isn‘t she?

[@JerichoLindsey]

So happy to see Polynesia represented on TDC

[@bruceanderson8720]

Excellent! Bravo! Great performance! Thank you Mahani Teave and NPR Music

[@alexandragrace8164]

How incredibly nourishing. All the best to Mahani and the people of the island 🙏🏼

[@efratdahan9821]

Seeing this made me believe in pure goodness, Thank you 🙏

[@taminahepnerbossart4910]

¡VIVA CHILE Y MAHANI!

[@admisionchiaravallemontess8365]

Uno de los mejores Tiny Desk !!!!!! Maravillosa Mahani Teave !

[@felipevergarasepulveda4358]

Hermoso!! Muchas gracias. Cariños y bendiciones

[@909kicks]

Speechless Beautiful !!

[@mechiruggiero]

So talented! What a beautiful music School. Dreamy place!!!

[@sailingnstuff]

That was so lovely. A little peace in these turbulent times. Cool story about the building from recycled trash!

[@TheBestOBigBMan]

Enrapturing and inspirational…thanks for showing the world innovation and creativity working in literal harmony. Please keep this up, TD!

[@stickysat]

How can someone dislike this...?

[@elizabethgonzalez3371]

Hermosa y talentosa 🙌🏻

[@ikreate4u]

Such a lovely treat of beautiful music with the added bonus of learning about such a beautiful school and effort. Much gratitude for this!

[@wacawlubinski5218]

Po prostu Pięknie. Gratuluję PL

[@gregterakita1517]

Beautiful!