Who or what inspired you to take up the piano and pursue a career in music?
Many people and things. My parents bought me a piano when I was six and my passion for music started there. The love affair was never something I could imagine giving up so the choice of career paths was not a difficult one.
Who or what were the most important influences on your musical life and career?
All of my teachers and the composers that guided me through my development as an artist.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Dealing with a hand injury when I was sixteen and the recovery from that.
Which particular works do you think you perform best?
I think that perhaps Beethoven and Liszt come most naturally to me.
How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?
I don’t like playing the same things for too long so my programmes are always evolving. It’s usually a combination of what I’m feeling excited about in that moment and what fits programmatically.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
Wigmore Hall comes to mind immediately. I’ve always loved playing and listening to concerts there.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
Probably playing Tchaikovsky concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra on my birthday.
What do you consider to be the most important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians?
Don’t take things too seriously.
Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?
Fiji
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The opening of Beethoven 4th piano concerto (played well)
What is your most treasured possession?
My coffee grinder.
What is your present state of mind?
Slightly annoyed because I just realised I only had to answer one of these last ones!
UPCLOSE: THE NEXT GENERATION—THE WHITWORTH
Thursday 17 November 2016, 7.30pm
The Whitworth Grand Hall, Manchester
Poulenc – Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet, Op.100
Roussel – Divertissement, Op.6
Debussy – Syrinx
Stravinsky – Danse Infernale from The Firebird
Alexander Ullman Piano/Lead Artist
Manchester Camerata Principal Musicians
In collaboration with The Keyboard Trust
Born in 1991 in London, Alexander Ullman studied at the Purcell School, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Royal College of Music where he is completing his Artist Diploma as the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellow (awarded by The Philip Loubser Foundation).
In 2016 Alexander won 1st Prize in the inaugural Manhattan International Music Competition and in 2011 1st Prize at the Franz Liszt Competition in Budapest. He was selected for representation by Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in 2014.
MEET THE ARTIST 