Jan Lisiecki: Portrait of a charismatic piano virtuoso
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Published 2022-07-14
Lisiecki is a modest interviewee; he speaks candidly about his love for the piano and how he manages his huge workload, as well as how he values his personal life. A multi-faceted picture emerges of an extraordinary pianist known for his capacity for profound self-reflection. And of course, we get to hear him play throughout the video, with excerpts from some of his most powerful performances.
We met Jan Lisiecki during his performance with the New York Philharmonic in Peenemünde on the German island of Usedom in May 2022.
At a glance:
00:00 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
01:06 Jan Lisiecki on his early mastery/maturity on the piano
02:00 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
02:22 Jan Lisiecki on joy and pain at his live concerts
03:01 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
03:44 Jan Lisiecki on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5
04:58 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
05:31 Jan Lisiecki on how he prepares for a concert
06:15 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
06:41 Jan Lisiecki on playing the piano at 3 a.m.
07:16 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
07:39 Jan Lisiecki when asked what time he goes to bed
07:52 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
08:03 Jan Lisiecki on the balance between professional and personal life
08:49 Jan Lisiecki at the beach on the island of Usedom
08:57 Jan Lisiecki on other forms of art and how they influence him
09:52 Robert Schumann, Night Pieces, Op. 23, I. Funeral Procession, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
10:57 Jan Lisiecki on his youth and how he came to music
11:57 Maurice Ravel, Gaspard de la nuit, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
12:20 Jan Lisiecki on how he learns a new piece
13:26 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
14:06 Jan Lisiecki on his affection for Chopin and his Polish roots
15:04 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
15:40 Jan Lisiecki on stereotypes in music and in life
16:50 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
17:32 Jan Lisiecki on his purist approach to music and jumping barriers
18:39 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
19:14 Jan Lisiecki on being mentioned in the same breath with other star pianists
20:33 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” K. 265/300e, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
20:59 Jan Lisiecki on Germany – one of his favorite places
21:40 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” K. 265/300e, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
22:17 Jan Lisiecki on his ideas of how to spread classical music
23:35 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
Thumbnail: © Christoph Köstlin / Deutsche Grammophon
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All Comments (21)
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His interview has convinced me that classical music remains safe in the hands of younger gen. of classical pianists. 🎉❤
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You are amazing! Your professionalism and talent are truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your incredible music with us. You are a great inspiration to so many of us! Warm regards!
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What a delightful interview!🎹🎼🎶🎵🌹
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I just shared his performance last night at Wigmore Hall. What a fantastic naturally focused pianist he is. We all shared the beautiful moment in the hall and it’s absolutely magical. It was like as if I’m standing in front of his paintings - varied personal colours, open space, nature, soul, innovative way of projecting layers of harmony, lineages between Preludes, etc …I can’t stop talking about it. it’s just mesmerising. Bravo and looking forward to the next celebration of his music.
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This young man is an old soul and his heart and mind in coherence is definitely illuminated..I'm so mesmerized watching and listening to his music and his interpretations of classical music..🙏🌟👍🇨🇦❤️
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What an inspiration! So talented, but what surprised me, so well-spoken. I could listen to him talk about music for hours. I hope to hear him live one day.
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definitely one of my favourites, we're living in a golden time of youthful influx of talent. When last did you see so many breathtaking talents hit the world?
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I just found him and I don`t like saying this but, he is greater than I will ever be. I am Not a musician but a painter. People like him makes me humble. I just found a new happy thing in my life. I am a fan. 💙
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Going to see him perform Chopin in Dallas in March. Thrilled!
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Verdaderamente eres un genio en la musica clasica y un ser muy espiritual. Felicitaciones Jan que Dios te cuide porque . haces feliz a las generaciones de mi edad y al mismo tiempo a la juventud que tiene el privilegio de gustar del piano y de la musica del gran Ludwig von Beethoven
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What a wonderful profile of our favourite pianist! We have been fortunate to see Jan perform live on five occasions, beginning when he was only 17, and will be flying from Canada to San Diego in January 2024 for his performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto #20. There aren't many artists we'd hop on a plane just to see, but Jan is simply amazing, and #20 is one of my favourite pieces. Can't wait!
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❤️🎹dziękuję
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Eccezionale!
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“..Presenting yourself as it is, with no embellishments but with full confidence..” Thank you Jan for presenting your TRUE artistry to the world. 🙏🎹
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im from the city he’s from!! im going to see him next week, im so excited ^^
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My friend and I saw Jan play with the Vancouver Symphony Feb 23. It was an amazing experience! The pieces spanned the whole spectrum of the human emotions and so masterfully communicated. It was mesmerizing. It was clear during the concert that he was giving 100% and he was enjoying it, just as he said during this interview. Thank you Jan!
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When I talk about Chopin, I usually say that I used to think that I didn't like Chopin. I was wrong. Actually, it was just that I hadn't yet listened to a performance that could move my feelings. Jan Lisiecki was the first one, and later, I came across another performer who could make me feel with Chopin. Of course, I don't understand anything about techniques and academic music, but in the end, aren't feelings what count in art?
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I am obsessed with him! he plays with soul. and he's beautiful
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Such an inspiration! I love how he made all the familiar classics alive in his way! His interpretation of Gaspard de la nuit os my new favorite.. Also in here I can find he’s such an honest sensitive soul..! Thanks for the program DW.
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Wonderful!
