DISCOVERING SCHUBERT...AND MUCH MORE...

At age 10, I stumbled upon a collection of Lieder scores belonging to my mother, a talented Lyric-Soprano. Her training with renowned artists Eric Werba and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf in Salzburg further piqued my curiosity. Around the same time, I discovered Arthur Schnabel's recording of Schubert's 8 Impromptus for piano.

Intrigued by the musical possibilities, I eagerly asked my father to buy the score and embarked on a journey to learn all eight Impromptus within a year.

The encounter with Lieder scores and Schnabel's rendition of the Impromptus opened my eyes to a world of musical beauty and expression. The fusion of voice and piano in Lieder captivated my heart, while the Impromptus offered intricate pianistic and emotional depth. This awakening sparked a deep passion for Lieder, which I explored with newfound curiosity and appreciation.

Immersed in the study of Lieder and the Impromptus, I fell headlong in love with Schubert's music. Each note I played on the piano became a vessel for profound emotions and storytelling. With their poetic lyrics and beautiful melodies, the Lieder transported me to another world. On the other hand, the Impromptus allowed me to discover the nuances and interpretative possibilities within instrumental music, particularly the piano.

Accompanying My Mother.

As my journey in Lieder unfolded, I had the extraordinary opportunity, at the age of 12, to accompany my mother in a private recital organised by a few close friends of my parents. Together, we performed captivating works of Hugo Wolf's "Mignon" Lieder

(the 4th "Kennst du das Land" was omitted; hence, the extended tremolo passages were too demanding for a 12-year-old) and Schubert-Lieder: Ganymed, An die Musik, Gretchen am Spinnrade und Nähe des Geliebten. Collaborating with her deepened my understanding of Lieder and strengthened our bond, as we shared a passion for music that transcended generations.

Learning the Art of Phrasing.

Guided by my mother's musical instincts and beautiful voice, I learned the nuances of phrasing, discovering its power to breathe life into the music and evoke emotions within the listener. She taught me the significance of shaping each line with intention and emotion. The subtle dynamics, form and lyrics became tools for powerful storytelling, enhancing the emotional narrative of the music. Through her mentorship, I developed a profound appreciation for the complexities of musical expression and the art of conveying emotions through phrasing.

She made me understand that breathing serves as the rhythmic anchor, facilitating nuanced phrasing and dynamic expression in navigating complex piano literature.