By Laura Hanton

THE music of a local pianist is being celebrated across the country after being played on national radio.

Classic FM has been playing pieces by Tamara Konstantin, a classically trained pianist who has lived in Weymouth for more than 15 years.

Tamara has composed a series of Dorset Sketches, instrumental pieces dedicated to specific areas of the county. Poundbury, Chesil Beach and Abbotsbury Gardens feature among the collection.

“It is the most stunning place I’ve ever been,” she said. “I’m very lucky to live here.”

Tamara focuses on creating melodic and memorable pieces without being too complex or technical. The talented musician does not only play, but composes her music too.

“There was a period of my life when I stopped music altogether,” Tamara said. “But when I came back to it, about six years ago, I started composing, which I had never done before. I taught myself and it just came naturally.”

Tamara's first album, Inflections, was released in 2016, pieces of which have been played on local and national radio stations including BBC Solent and Classic FM. She was also awarded First Prize by The Georgian Composer's Guild in recognition of her work.

In early 2019, Tamara was signed by international record label Naxos Records, a leading classical music label which works with artists of the highest calibre. The label released Tamara's second album, Reverie, in March.

Born and raised in Georgia, Tamara studied at the Tbilisi Music Academy, performing various solo recitals and concerts accompanied by The Georgian State Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from Tbilisi State University, Tamara was offered a job as the first female political commentator on Georgian State Television. Upon meeting her husband, she moved to England in 1990, working in the oil industry for more than 20 years and becoming vice president of an oil and gas exploration company.

She now focuses solely on her music and says many of her pieces are inspired by the coastline and countryside of Dorset.

Tamara is now working on her third album, a mix of instruments, solos and duets, which she hopes to release later this year.