Posted by Kristia Michael (translation by Hans Erblich)
‘Luminescence’ is your debut album that will be released on the 12th of July, and it reflects your dream, passion, and love for music. How do you feel about releasing an album at just 13 years old?
A year ago, I never dreamed this would happen. I was thinking about recording an album, but had no idea how to go about it. When I shared this idea after winning the Bunschoten younger talent award, Maya invited me to the studio. And now the album is here. Very special!
You have selected pieces that hold deep meaning for you. Could you share the story behind one or two of these pieces and explain why they are important to you?
I chose the pieces because listening to them gave me a certain feeling. The piece The Lark is about a bird learning to fly. For me, it is not literally a bird, but is about things you experience in your life. That is with trial and error. It comes with moments of hope but also moments of disappointment.
Fazil Say’s piece ‘Black Earth’ is based on a song by Kara Toprak. It is about loneliness and loss, but you can also hear despair reflected in the piece. At the beginning and end of the piece, Fazil Say imitates the sound of the Saz by muting the strings with his hand. I love the piece because you can hear so many different feelings reflected in the composition.
When and how did your love for the piano and classical music begin?
I was about six years old when my mother asked if I would like to learn to play a bit of piano. In the beginning, I got some lessons from her and I liked it a lot right away. Of course, the first pieces I played were very easy, but if I had a piece with a nice melody, I could really enjoy it. I didn’t want to play children’s songs or pop songs, but mainly pieces with beautiful harmonies and melodies.
You mention in the liner notes that Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata influenced your choice to become a concert pianist and devote yourself to music. Can you tell us a bit more about this decision?
About two years ago, I suddenly had to undergo heart surgery. At the hospital, the nurses asked what calmed me down. For me, that was music. So in the hospital, I listened a lot to performances by great pianists and watched videos of concerts. I was just playing the Sonate Pathétique and tried to play along in my head while listening. It really helped me and made me feel so happy and all I could think was: I want to do this too!
You’ve achieved so much at such a young age! Winning prestigious competitions like the Royal Concertgebouw Competition and the Prinses Christina Concours is very impressive. How have these achievements affected your career and personal growth?
Winning these awards has given me a lot of great opportunities for which I am very grateful. I love being able to play for an audience and now I get a lot of opportunities to do so. A career in music is not easy, of course, which is why it is great that there are organisations that want to encourage young people to go for music anyway.
Recording and releasing an album was one of your dreams, and now it’s almost realized! How was the experience working with the team of TRPTK during the recording and mastering sessions, and in general throughout the production of ‘Luminescence’?
Of course, it was quite exciting to record an album. But all the people at TRPTK were super nice and I immediately felt at ease. They also listened very carefully to my opinions throughout the process. I am very happy to have been able to release an album with TRPTK!
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from ‘Luminescence’?
The title refers to the light appearing in the dark, so I hope everyone enjoys the music, as I enjoy the music while playing.
Finally, what are your dreams for the future now that the release of your debut album is so close?
I hope I can continue to give many great performances and play in many great places. Soon I will play with the North Netherlands Orchestra and in six months’ time with the Heritage Sinfonietta. I am already very much looking forward to that. I hope I get the chance to play with an orchestra more often.
An interview with Liam Nassereddine
‘Luminescence’ is your debut album that will be released on the 12th of July, and it reflects your dream, passion, and love for music. How do you feel about releasing an album at just 13 years old?
A year ago, I never dreamed this would happen. I was thinking about recording an album, but had no idea how to go about it. When I shared this idea after winning the Bunschoten younger talent award, Maya invited me to the studio. And now the album is here. Very special!
You have selected pieces that hold deep meaning for you. Could you share the story behind one or two of these pieces and explain why they are important to you?
I chose the pieces because listening to them gave me a certain feeling. The piece The Lark is about a bird learning to fly. For me, it is not literally a bird, but is about things you experience in your life. That is with trial and error. It comes with moments of hope but also moments of disappointment.
Fazil Say’s piece ‘Black Earth’ is based on a song by Kara Toprak. It is about loneliness and loss, but you can also hear despair reflected in the piece. At the beginning and end of the piece, Fazil Say imitates the sound of the Saz by muting the strings with his hand. I love the piece because you can hear so many different feelings reflected in the composition.
When and how did your love for the piano and classical music begin?
I was about six years old when my mother asked if I would like to learn to play a bit of piano. In the beginning, I got some lessons from her and I liked it a lot right away. Of course, the first pieces I played were very easy, but if I had a piece with a nice melody, I could really enjoy it. I didn’t want to play children’s songs or pop songs, but mainly pieces with beautiful harmonies and melodies.
You mention in the liner notes that Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata influenced your choice to become a concert pianist and devote yourself to music. Can you tell us a bit more about this decision?
About two years ago, I suddenly had to undergo heart surgery. At the hospital, the nurses asked what calmed me down. For me, that was music. So in the hospital, I listened a lot to performances by great pianists and watched videos of concerts. I was just playing the Sonate Pathétique and tried to play along in my head while listening. It really helped me and made me feel so happy and all I could think was: I want to do this too!
You’ve achieved so much at such a young age! Winning prestigious competitions like the Royal Concertgebouw Competition and the Prinses Christina Concours is very impressive. How have these achievements affected your career and personal growth?
Winning these awards has given me a lot of great opportunities for which I am very grateful. I love being able to play for an audience and now I get a lot of opportunities to do so. A career in music is not easy, of course, which is why it is great that there are organisations that want to encourage young people to go for music anyway.
Recording and releasing an album was one of your dreams, and now it’s almost realized! How was the experience working with the team of TRPTK during the recording and mastering sessions, and in general throughout the production of ‘Luminescence’?
Of course, it was quite exciting to record an album. But all the people at TRPTK were super nice and I immediately felt at ease. They also listened very carefully to my opinions throughout the process. I am very happy to have been able to release an album with TRPTK!
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from ‘Luminescence’?
The title refers to the light appearing in the dark, so I hope everyone enjoys the music, as I enjoy the music while playing.
Finally, what are your dreams for the future now that the release of your debut album is so close?
I hope I can continue to give many great performances and play in many great places. Soon I will play with the North Netherlands Orchestra and in six months’ time with the Heritage Sinfonietta. I am already very much looking forward to that. I hope I get the chance to play with an orchestra more often.