Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
I always wanted to be a musician. My entire life (35 years) has been a process to became a pianist, an idea developer. For as long as I can remember, I’ve listened to music – every kind and genre of music, from Italian pop, jazz, classical, hard rock. I think the most important influences in my musical life were my teachers, my deepest listening, and of course Herbie Hancock.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
I don’t know. I don’t like challenges, but maybe nowadays the biggest one is to live as a musician (in Italy of course).
Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?
My latest album “Home” that I recorded in my house during August 2020.
Which particular works do you think you perform best?
Maybe my own repertoire.
What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?
Normally I prepare the repertoire as if I were on the stage. I search for inspiration in my daily life and treat every gig as if was the first time.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
I prefer small/medium audiences/venues as this is more intimate for my music.
What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music audiences/listeners?
Well, surely it’s really important to educate children to the music, classical, and others genre too.
The classical audience today is not the same of 20 years ago. We must educate ourselves through listening every day to new artists and new musicians. I also suggest the modern classical scene, because it’s really full of new ideas.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
I have a special memory for a Piano Day concert in Milan, Italy. It was the 2014 and I was performing in an old cascina [rural building] for the second edition of the festival. It was a great concert, around 45 minutes of silence and music with a beautiful audience.
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
Well, the success for me 20 years ago was to be famous through the music scene (whatever that means). Today, the success for me is to be able to live as a musician, artist or a composer. I teach piano and play concerts. For me this is success.
What do you consider to be the most important ideas and concepts to impart to aspiring musicians?
Be yourself. Try to follow your ideas and be ready for any chance that life brings to you.
Where would you like to be in 10 years?
I hope to be a happy musician and be part of a great process around music for movie soundtracks. I like to compose for this kind of work. Some recent works can describe it better:
What is your present state of mind?
Wake up and live. I have a wonderful family with a second baby coming in July and a new year to be challenged!
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