Piano Interviews

Piano

Artur Pizarro: “I Really Wanted to Go Bechstein Rather Than Steinway Because of the Characteristics of the Sound of the Piano. I Wanted Something a Little Bit More Refined and With More Ties to a European Piano Sound, an Old German Piano Tradition Rather Than a More Modern, Homogenized Standard Sound”

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In this interview, Portuguese pianist Artur Pizarro discusses his project of recording the complete Beethoven Concertos on two Bechstein pianos during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project began in 2019 when he was invited by Julia Jones, the conductor of the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, to perform Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto in Germany. Impressed with the orchestra’s work, Pizarro suggested that they record the entire set of Beethoven’s concertos. However, due to the pandemic, the project had to be delayed until 2021. Pizarro discusses the logistical difficulties of rehearsing and recording during the pandemic, selecting the appropriate pianos, and how they managed to finance the project. Despite the challenges, Pizarro expresses satisfaction with the recordings’ outcome.

Artur Pizarro: “I Really Wanted to Go Bechstein Rather Than Steinway Because of the Characteristics of the Sound of the Piano. I Wanted Something a Little Bit More Refined and With More Ties to a European Piano Sound, an Old German Piano Tradition Rather Than a More Modern, Homogenized Standard Sound” Open »

Piano

Cate Blanchett: “The Thing That Really Struck Me Is That in the Beginning, I Wasn’t Breathing — That’s Just So Important for Conducting. You Have to Breathe With the Orchestra”

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Cate Blanchett stars in the new film TÁR as a controversial orchestral conductor. Blanchett details her experiences entering the classical music world and what it was like to make her debut as conductor with the Dresden Philharmonic.

Cate Blanchett: “The Thing That Really Struck Me Is That in the Beginning, I Wasn’t Breathing — That’s Just So Important for Conducting. You Have to Breathe With the Orchestra” Open »

Piano

Omer Meir Wellber: “Really Good Conductors Are Able to Recognize the Potential in Others and Bring That Out in the Music in What Almost Feels Like a Magical Experience”

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Composer, performer, and conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Omer Meir Wellber shares about his early influences as a musician, as well as an upcoming release entitled ‘The Mandolin Seasons’ that features mandolinist Jacob Reuven performing pieces by Vivaldi and Piazzolla.

Omer Meir Wellber: “Really Good Conductors Are Able to Recognize the Potential in Others and Bring That Out in the Music in What Almost Feels Like a Magical Experience” Open »

Piano

Robert Hamilton: “Music Has Always Been My Language. It Speaks to Me More Deeply and Prevalently Than Anything Else”

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Robert Hamilton is an award-winning pianist, recording artist, and internationally respected teacher who has been featured in the book ‘The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the U. S. A.’ We sit down with Mr. Hamilton to discuss his life, his dual careers of performer and teacher, and the recent publication of his first book.

Robert Hamilton: “Music Has Always Been My Language. It Speaks to Me More Deeply and Prevalently Than Anything Else” Open »

Piano

Fanny Azzuro: “The Préludes Are Full of Miniatures in Which One Must Infuse a Lot of Emotions”

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After graduating from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, in piano and chamber music, Fanny Azzuro won many international competitions in France and the USA (Cincinnati and Washington). Officially a Yamaha Artist, she is also supported by Spedidam, the Mécénat Musical Société Générale, the Safran Foundation for Music and the Adami.

Fanny Azzuro: “The Préludes Are Full of Miniatures in Which One Must Infuse a Lot of Emotions” Open »

Piano

Adam Wakeman: “During This Period of Reflection, When the World Seemed to Pause, It Gave Me Time to Rekindle My Relationship With the Piano and the Classical Style I Started Out Playing on Those Early Albums With My Father”

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The pandemic had a hand in Adam Wakeman’s return to modern classical piano after 25 years. As a highly sought-after touring pianist, Adam played extensively with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Travis, and others. He records and performs with his progressive rock band Headspace and his acoustic duo Wilson & Wakeman. Last year, he even ventured into the jazz world with his critically acclaimed documentary/album project Jazz Sabbath.

Adam Wakeman: “During This Period of Reflection, When the World Seemed to Pause, It Gave Me Time to Rekindle My Relationship With the Piano and the Classical Style I Started Out Playing on Those Early Albums With My Father” Open »

Piano

Sara Davis Buechner: “Music Is a Path to a Higher Reality, to a Very, Very Beautiful Place. My Whole Life I’ve Wanted to Be In That Place and I’ve Wanted to Take People There With Me”

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Sara Davis Buechner is not only an outstanding pianist and superlative teacher but is also a voice of her generation with regard to transgender issues and rights. We sit down with Ms. Buechner for a lively discussion of her fascinating life, education, career, and experiences as a transgender woman in the world of classical music.

Sara Davis Buechner: “Music Is a Path to a Higher Reality, to a Very, Very Beautiful Place. My Whole Life I’ve Wanted to Be In That Place and I’ve Wanted to Take People There With Me” Open »

Piano

Rami Bar-Niv: “It Seems the Piano Chose Me, and That’s What I Did for the Rest of My Life”

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Rami Bar-Niv is an active pianist, teacher, composer and author. In this interview, he discusses his beginnings in music, his new autobiography as well as his first book on piano fingerings, his Rhapsody piano camp for adults, his compositions, and his advice for young musicians.

Rami Bar-Niv: “It Seems the Piano Chose Me, and That’s What I Did for the Rest of My Life” Open »

Piano

Sergio Monteiro: “Teaching Has Become Such a Big Part of My Life. You Learn So Much Interacting With New Students”

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Steinway Artist and Director of Piano Activities at the Wanda Bass School of Music, Oklahoma City University, Sergio Monteiro talks about his early successes as a soloist, his upcoming performances of the Beethoven Sonatas, and his love for teaching piano to the next generation.

Sergio Monteiro: “Teaching Has Become Such a Big Part of My Life. You Learn So Much Interacting With New Students” Open »

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