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David Bismuth, pianist (photo credit: ©JP Raibaud)

Who or what inspired you to take up the piano and make it your career? 

I chose to play the piano after I heard a friend playing a few notes. It seemed only natural that I should try the instrument and start playing. After a couple of years of private teaching, I entered the Conservatory of Nice, on the French Riviera, where I was born.  When I turned 14, I entered the Paris National Conservatory. It was at this time that I considered becoming a professional someday…

 

Who or what were the most important influences on your musical life and career? 

The person who has influenced me most these past ten years is the great pianist Maria Joao Pires. I had the chance to work with her when she lived in Portugal giving workshops there. Our musical collaboration evolved over the years and we even played together sometimes, 4 hands or 2 pianos. Both as a musician and as a person she remains a great source of inspiration.

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far? 

To work without a manager and do everything by myself!

Which performance/recordings are you most proud of?  

I’m very pleased with the reactions I have received so far for my last recording, dedicated to “BACH and his sons”. It was particularly interesting to discover the music of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel or Johann Christian Bach and make this family reunion happen, together with their father’s music.

Which particular works do you think you play best? 

I play a lot of French music… Maybe being a French pianist and living in Paris makes me feel closer to this repertoire and to the emotions and sensitivity it requires…

How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season? 

The recording projects I have help me toc hoose what I’m going to play next season. Sometimes I get special requests from festivals or orchestras asking me to perform pieces that I have dreamt about but never performed before which is particularly exciting.

Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why? 

I played once in Polynesia, on an Island named Moorea. The concert took place in a beautiful resort in the countryside above the sea. The stage looked out onto the Pacific and from the piano I had an incredible view. When the concert started, the sun was setting…. I think this place instantly became my favourite venue in the world!

Favourite pieces to perform? Listen to? 

To perform: Bach/Busoni ‘Chaconne’ and Debussy ‘Clair de Lune’

To listen to: Rachmaninov 3rd Concerto and Schubert Sonata No. 21 D.960

Who are your favourite musicians? 

Radu Lupu, Jacqueline Du Pré, Samson François

What is your most memorable concert experience? 

Sharing the stage with Maria Joao Pires performing Mozart Concerto for 2 pianos in Paris, Salle Pleyel, in November 2010.

What do you consider to be the most important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians? 

I think one of the most important things in music is to keep true tothe score, in order to discover what is not written on the score!

I would also encourage younger musicians to let the music come from their entire body, not only from their fingers and their head…

What are you working on at the moment? 

Mozart Concerto for 3 pianos, with the Orchestre de Paris.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time? 

I have absolutely no idea… And I like it !

What is your most treasured possession? 

My son Matteo! But he’s not really my possession, is he ??

What do you enjoy doing most, when not playing the piano? 

Watching tennis matches on tv… And also playing myself!

David Bismuth gives a recital of works by Fauré, Franck, Alkan, Chaminade and Saint-Saëns at the Institut français, South Kensington on Sunday 6 April, 12 noon as part of the It’s all About Piano! festival

www.davidbismuth.com

 

 

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This weekend sees a celebration of all things piano at London’s Institut Français, with workshops, lectures, film screenings and performances. In the run up to this surfeit of piano goodness, I am delighted to be publishing Meet the Artist Interviews with some of the performers, including acclaimed French pianist Pascal Rogé (who also performs at Wigmore Hall in June) and harpsichordist Kenneth Weiss. The first interview is with French pianist David Bismuth.

Full details about the festival here:

www.institut-francais.org.uk/itsallaboutpiano

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Behind_The_Lines1-724x1024Music of Our Time (MOOT) is an innovative musical community founded by Norman Jacobs, which seeks to promote and appreciate contemporary music through communal listening, creative discussion, talks, films and other events, with a special focus on disability groups. MOOT enjoys a lively and busy season of concerts each year, always with a special theme: last year it was music and disability, and this year it is music of the First War in a series of concerts entitled ‘Sounds of War – Instruments of Peace 1914-2014′. The series launches on Wednesday 7 May with a concert of works for piano duet, performed by Helen Burford and Norman Jacobs.

The concerts, which form part of Brighton’s Fringe Festival, feature composers and music from the era of the First War (Bridge, Ravel, Elgar, Holst, Debussy, Butterworth, Finzi, Ireland), or focus on an aspect related to it, such as ‘Empty Sleeve – music for the left hand’, performed by left-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy, which reminds us of the pianists who lost an arm during the conflict (most notably, Paul Wittgenstein) and who were able to continue a performing career, playing repertoire for the left hand. Alongside the concerts are film screenings (Oh! What a Lovely War!), a performance of Jessica Duchen’s play A Walk Through the End of Time, lectures and talks, a composing workshop and a trip to Frank Bridge’s house.

MOOT’s events will not only commemorate the centenary of the start of the First War and serve as a poignant remembrance for those whose lives were irretrievably altered by the conflict, but will also celebrate the music and poetry of that “lost generation”. Some, like George Butterworth, lost their lives in the war; others were profoundly and irrevocably affected by it (for example, Frank Bridge, a committed pacifist).

For more information about MOOTs events, please visit the Music of Out Time website

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Corinne Morris

Who or what inspired you to take up the ‘cello, and make it your career? 
I believe the great pianist Samson François nurtured a love of music in me when I was only 2 as I used to be mesmerized by any of his recordings and would invariably stop all activity to listen to his wonderful playing. As for the cello and becoming a professional musician, I was 11 at the time and it was a concert at the Royal Festival Hall with Paul Tortelier playing the Dvorak Concerto. At the end of the concert, when the hall had cleared, I remember climbing onto the stage and sitting there where Tortelier had sat moments before and thinking: ‘one day I too will perform in great halls around the world’
Who or what were the most important influences on your playing? 
I have had many wonderful experiences with teachers: Raphael Sommer, a great disciple of Paul Tortelier, was a central figure in my early musical development and later I had the opportunity to have several lessons and master classes with Mtislav Rostropovich, Paul Tortelier, Bernard Greenhouse and William Pleeth – all very inspiring in their own unique way!
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far? 
By far the greatest challenge of all has been, having to ‘give up’ my performing career due to a debilitating shoulder injury. The psychological aspects of ‘losing’ your career are huge and greatly add to the physical pain. 18 months of rehab and a strong determination to perform again and I am now back on stage! What a wonderful feeling!
Which performances/recordings are you most proud of? 
My first concerto appearance after my injury was healed will always stand out as something special. For me it signified that I had overcome the injury, both physically and mentally.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in? 
Yes, one where there is an audience eager to listen
Who are your favourite musicians? 
In no particular order: Clara Haskil, Itzhak Perlman, Mtislav Rostropovich, Joshua Bell, Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Fournier, Isaac Stern, Jacqueline du Pré, Yo-Yo Ma, Jonas Kaufmann, Martha Argerich, Paul Tortelier, Chris Botti, Barbra Streisand, Michel Camillo, Oscar Peterson
What is your most memorable concert experience? 
Performing at the Barbican Centre for Paul Tortelier’s Commemorative concert
What do you consider to be the most important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians? 
First and foremost, Music should be a passion if you are considering it as a profession – otherwise, the challenges along the way will be too huge and you’ll likely give up!
To very young students, I like to teach them how to practice effectively so that they can feel a certain amount of autonomy early on which I feel is important in helping them develop as human beings.
I will always try to nurture their own developing personality rather than imposing musical ways and attitudes.
Obviously posture and position at the instrument are very close to my heart and I am always checking and talking about this with my students
Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time? 
Enjoying a fulfilling performing and teaching career.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? 
Being able to do what you love doing
What is your most treasured possession? 
My ‘cello, even though it is on loan to me so technically it is not ‘my’ possession
What do you enjoy doing most? 
Exploring new things, meeting new people
What is your present state of mind? 
Entrepreneurial
Corinne’s latest album Chrysalis is available on the Linn records label. More information
British/French cellist Corinne Morris was well on her way to enjoying a promising career performing in the major concert halls around the world, when a debilitating shoulder injury brought her dreams to a halt. Despair turned to hope after discovering a successful treatment from the field of sports medicine. She is now picking up where she left off. Corinne proudly marked her re-launch at the end of 2013 with her album The Macedonian Sessions; an 11-piece recording with the Macedonian Radio Symphony Orchestra featuring music from Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Fauré, Saint-Saëns and Piazzolla, along with a self-penned composition. Corinne has a long list of professional accomplishments, including being a prizewinner of the Maria Canals International Cello Competition in Spain, and the International French Music Competition in France. Corinne was chosen by Rostropovich to perform at his festival in Evian (where he affectionately nicknamed her Corinotchka). She was also invited to perform and take part in the world-famous Verbier Academy in Switzerland, as well as the international cello festival in Kronberg in Germany. Corinne has performed throughout Europe and beyond, including chamber music performances with Schlomo Mintz at the Jerusalem Conservatory. She has made several recordings for France Musique, Bayerischer Rundfunk (Germany) and ORF (Austria). Her BBC debut recital was broadcast on Radio 3, and she is on the list of solo artists for Radio 3 programmes. Corinne started the cello at the age of 8 and was a student of Raphael Sommer, a major disciple of Paul Tortelier. At age 16, she obtained an ARCM with honours (Royal College of Music, London) and continued her training at the prestigious Conservatoire in Paris where she graduated with a first prize in both cello and chamber music. She then completed a post-graduate solo cello performing degree at the University of Music in Vienna, Austria. During her studies, Corinne had the privilege to take part in lessons and masterclasses with Paul Tortelier, Mtislav Rostropovich, André Navarra, Bernard Greenhouse, Ralph Kirshbaum and Franz Helmerson. Corinne’s story has inspired many in the music industry and beyond. As she re-launches her career, she is passionate about changing industry attitudes towards injury through regular talks at universities and conservatoires, and interviews for publications including International Arts Manager, Classical Music Magazine and Gramophone.  Corinne plays a cello by C.A. Miremont dated 1876 on loan to her by a private investor. 
For up-to-date info on concerts and news, please visit