Words of Wisdom
Concert pianists offer their top tips to young musicians that will help them build a career by immersing themselves in music, accepting failure, imaginative programming, engaging with the audience and striving to reach their full potential.
WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH PERFORMING
William Bracken
Some of the most valuable (yet often infuriating) advice I have received includes phrases such as, “it will come with experience” and “just keep going”. The truth is that there is no magic wand, no short cut – I have learned a great deal of important lessons through repeated exposure to performance and by taking as many opportunities as I can. Careers work in mysterious ways, progress is often very gradual – patience really is a virtue, although also a luxury for a young musician. If you can afford to buy time, do. Another important asset for any musician is to keep trusted mentors close by – mentors who have your best interests in mind, and who have achieved the things you would like to achieve. Their advice has for me proved to be absolutely invaluable and provides an extra guiding light when I need it most.
HOW TO SURVIVE AND FLOURISH
Imogen Cooper
It is not enough to have talent and potential. Resilience is vital too. It is a long road, and contrary to present day practice in the business, being a musician is not about being a flash in the pan. It is a life long maturation process, to be nurtured with love, patience and passion. We must remain at all times connected to the music and to an ever deeper knowledge of it - this will nurture us in darker times when the work is not coming in. Self-belief is vital – find just one person who 100% supports and loves what you do and who is there for you. And be patient!
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MUSIC
Dominic Degavino
The Mithras Trio, founded with two fellow students at the Guildhall School, won the Trondheim Int. Chamber Music Competition in 2019, launching their career on the international stage, and the Trio became BBC New Generation Artists for the 2021–23 seasons. When asked who or what has influenced him most Dominic replied that his piano teachers (Helen Krizos, Charles Owen, Noriko Ogawa) urging him to immerse himself in music had been the biggest influence, although playing chamber music with his colleagues, and mentors, was 'perhaps the most amazing teacher of all. It’s too easy as a pianist to spend endless time playing alone, but if you’re in an ensemble and truly listening, and alive, and reacting to the people that you’re playing with, then suddenly you're able to have conversations about music thatare on a different level to what you can express in words.’
TO LOSE IS TO WIN
Anna Geniushene, Laureate of major international piano competitions: Leeds (finalist), Tchaikovsky (semi-finalist), Busoni (third prize), Anna won second prize at the Van Cliburn in 2022.
"When you enter a competition, you don't know what the outcome is going to be, and if you dare step into that arena you need to be fully prepared for everything . . .[Success at the Van Cliburn] did change a lot, but I also believe that not winning first prize gives you a kind of quiet freedom. For me it was a path for further growth as a pianist and as a person. I don't believe that in music we can be ranked as if it were sport . . . the most important thing for me was to dare to walk on stage and to speak from my heart. And to win second prize at the Van Cliburn while staying true to myself was very powerful."
(Harriet Smith interview, 29 August 2025 Gramophone.co.uk)
REMAIN OPEN MINDED
Paul Lewis
The greatest music inevitably presents you with an infinite range of possibilities. There is so often something you haven't noticed, elements that are woven in revealing the character, the essence, the journey of a piece of music. Always remain open-minded in revisiting and discovering new things.
RELISH THE POWER OF MUSIC
Shunta Morimoto
Born in Kyoto in 2004, Shunta Morimoto was a child prodigy and recipient of multiple prizes including the coveted First Prize of the Piano Teachers' Association of Japan three times in his category. A Fukuda Scholarship Award at the age of 14 enabled him to take part in the Van Cliburn Junior Competition where his outstanding performance brought him a global following of admirers, musicians and critics. In 2017 he was unanimously judged the winner of the renowned Hastings International Piano Competition. “Music has the power to bring people together, no matter race, gender, sex or religion, and it creates emotions unable to be felt in everyday life. It is important to me because it gives my life a new flavour, a new colour and a new spectrum.” Shunta, aged 14.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Cristian Sandrin
Set yourself ambitious musical goals. Dare to challenge yourself to learn new and unfamiliar works. Remain curious and explore pieces outside your comfort zone. This is by far the best avenue to achieving artistic growth. In a world dominated by concert organisers you cannot afford to stick to the same repertoire. You must constantly learn new pieces and repertoire that would appeal to a wide range of audiences.
RESPECT THE AUDIENCE
Samson Tsoy
There is a problem with conservatism that causes a lack of imagination and often even feels like a lack of passion. We should always remember that listeners come to concerts in their free time – and time is such a luxury in today’s world. We should not take that for granted – that is a lot of trust and commitment. Some people come for the first time and some are regular music aficionados, and we should find ways of balancing our performances in such ways that capture attention and stir emotions of both groups equally. (Meet the Artist June 2022)
Photo credits: William Bracken © Francis Ware, Imogen Cooper © Sim Canetty-Clarke, Dominic Degavino © Matthew Johnson, © Anna Geniushene © Lisa-Marie Mazzucco, Paul Lewis © Matthew Washburn,
Shunta Morimoto © Christopher Axworthy, Cristian Sandrin © Kaupo Kikkas, Samson Tsoy © Askonas Holt