Romancing the Piano

Stephen Kovacevich,the world renowned pianist who is admired for his interpretations of Beethoven,Brahms,Mozart and Schubert,treated the city to his music on Wednesday at Mazda Hall.

Pianist Stephen Kovacevich’s first-time performance in the city on Wednesday presented inspiring interpretations of stalwarts like Beethoven and Mozart

Stephen Kovacevich,the world renowned pianist who is admired for his interpretations of Beethoven,Brahms,Mozart and Schubert,treated the city to his music on Wednesday at Mazda Hall. Performing concerts since the age of 11,Kovacevich says,I did not miss out on a childhood. I loved sport – I played football and baseball and my school would let me go home early so that I could practice the piano. It was not all that difficult to do all the things I loved!

With a distinguished career as a concert pianist,he records exclusively for EMI Classics. After winning the 1993 Gramophone Award,his recordings were nominated in the instrumental category of the 1994 and 1999 Gramophone Awards. Kovacevichs concert engagements include performances with the London,Los Angeles and Israel Philharmonic orchestras,as well as the Pittsburgh,Finnish Radio,Swedish Radio and Montreal Symphony orchestras. This was his first performance in India. And I really hope Indian audiences will appreciate my piece, he said before the show,which was organised by Poona Music Society.

In addition to his solo performances,Kovacevich,who is inspired by the legendary Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff,also enjoys performing with his chamber partners. The one artiste I look forward to performing with most is Alina Ibragimova,the violinist with whom I will perform in Mumbai. I will also do my birthday concert in Pune next year with her, reveals Kovacevich.

No other instrument satisfies his soul as much as the piano and not once has he deviated from the instrument. Making music is like an expression of hope for me. It is everything, he says.

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