Nobility: the understanding that Chopin was an aristocrat and led a noble, maestoso life. TY: If I had to give a succinct answer, I would probably narrow it down to four key points:ġ. PJ: What would you say characterises excellent Chopin playing? I recently worked on Rachmaninoff’s second piano sonata, and I recall it as being one of the most enjoyable pieces I’ve ever performed in public.Īnd of course, the music of Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms each also have their own, special places in my heart. Russian piano music has also been of great interest to me - anything from Prokofiev’s eighth sonata to Shostakovich’s second sonata to Feinberg’s twelfth sonata. In particular, his Art of Fugue collection as well as his infamous Goldberg Variations have been staples of my classical music listening, though I have yet to play either of the two pieces. Each musician goes through different phases at different times, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful that there is such a significant catalogue of beautiful and profound piano repertoire that we can always find ourselves satisfied with and grateful for.Īs of now, I have a deep fascination with the music of J. TY: It’s always changing, and I guess it really depends on the state of my mind at the moment. Which repertoire besides Chopin interests you? PJ: Some Chopin Competition laureates find themselves labeled as being solely Chopin pianists. Exploring my other interests has been helpful in enhancing the way I feel music and deepening my relationship to the art that we aim to live. Living a diverse and (hopefully) open-minded life has, in a way, helped me develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the human life. In general, I’ve always seemed to enjoy exploring a wide variety of interests, and as I look back, I think it’s been quite beneficial for me personally to sometimes explore those interests. TY: At Harvard, my classes have been mainly centered around Economics and Psychology, though I’ve also been fortunate to have also had the chance to enroll in a wide selection of other classes such as Spanish, Incan History, Film Studies, Planetary Science, and even music improvisation since the course quantity requirements for Econ and Psych at Harvard are rather light. What can you tell me about your other interests in life besides the piano? I must say though, despite having chosen to lead a double life in university, music is and has always been the dearest love and passion for me. After taking some time off school during the pandemic, I am on my way to completing my final semester there in the spring of 2022. However, my major there was not music, but instead I focused on Economics and Psychology. On the other hand, I have also been very fortunate since the competition to have had the chance to pursue my undergraduate education at Harvard University. At the age of 16, I felt that there was still so much more pianistic, artistic, and personality searching to do that most of my time with music since the competition has been spent on precisely that –– exploring different schools of technique, of music-making, and of temperament. Since the competition, I’ve worked a lot on expanding my repertoire, I’ve performed quite a bit, and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of interesting musicians along the way –– some of which have become my closest friends & dearest mentors.
Without a doubt, the prize from Chopin was my stepping stone into the classical music industry, and for me, this prize will always remain humbly in my heart as a symbolic figure of new beginnings in both my personal and professional life. I was in my final year of high school at the time, and I had originally planned to participate in the competition with the mindset of trying to garner as much experience as possible so that I could have my aims a bit higher for the 2020/21 edition of the competition. Tony Yang: My prize at the 2015 Chopin Competition came at a rather unexpected time for me. What have you been up to since then and what did the prize mean to your personal and professional life? Patick Jovell: You were the 5th prize laureate back in 2015 and also, at 16 the youngest ever. During his visit to Warsaw, Patrick Jovell had a breakfast talk with laureate 2015 Tony Yang, the youngest prize winner ever – in the history of the competition. But what about after-Warsaw? From this perspective Piano Street will publish some articles and interviews dealing with laureates and their life after the Grand Competition.
Many have enjoyed the performances live and via streaming and the “now factor” has been very well provided for. Taking place every five years, the 2020 edition was postponed one year, in order to make a live competition possible for both contestants and live audiences. The world has during October enjoyed almost one entire month of excellent Chopin performances at the 18th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.