Natalie Clein, your sound has been described as “mesmerizing” and “passionate”. How did you achieve it? What do you want to convey to your audience?
For me, the idea of sound is similar to that of the soul of an instrument—it’s an echo of meaning and love for the instrument and the piece. So I’m always happy when this love reaches the audience!
On January 21st, you’ll return to Turin for the Unione Musicale with pianist Cédric Pescia and will perform pieces by Bloch, Schubert, Lutyens, Elias, and Brahms. Is there a common thread running through these pages?
I’m not sure if I called it a thread but I think it is very important always when building a program to go on a journey together with the audience. These pieces are desperate but contain together real depths of soul and human expression and I hope that – like a very good meal which is extremely easy to find in Italy! – The audience will be left satisfied emotionally and intellectually.
You’ve played several times with Cédric Pescia. How did your collaboration come about? How do you work together? What’s the strength of your collaboration?
I totally respect Cédric as a musician and as a pianist (for me, they’re two different things!). I sense an incredible fluidity, flexibility, and brilliance in his playing, as well as a profound knowledge of music. It’s a joy to work with him! We met at a festival in Switzerland many years ago.
Find out more about Natalie Clein’s concert
You’ve had a long and brilliant career so far. What has music given you and what has it taken away from you?
I think in this job you have to be passionate and never compromise your art, but for me it’s been a gift to be able to dedicate my professional life to a vocation. I also love teaching and passing on the incredible culture that my teachers, like Heinrich Schiff and Bernard Greenhouse, have given me. I don’t think music has taken anything away from me: it’s simply enriched my life!
The upcoming concerts at Unione Musicale
Interview by Laura Brucalassi for Unione Musical
