Marta Brankovich, pianist & composer

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? 

A long time ago, I have heard a quote: ‘You don’t become a musician, you are born to be the one’. To this day, I strongly believe in this saying. Music was instilled in me from an early age, and I don’t remember a time before it. I also believe it takes a village for a successful career, so my parents sacrificed a lot to bring me up in a war infected country with many turbulences and get me ready for a big world. Besides my parents I do have support in my husband and two Professors that immensely influenced my journey so far. I would like to mention Fredrick Kaufman, a distinguished composer whose music I perform all the time, and Kemal Gekic, world-renowned pianist, my former piano professor, with whom I accomplished a second Masters degree in piano performance. 

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far? 

The world has changed a lot in only few years. From the 1990s, where I grew up and started building my concert career in Europe, til now, it seems like hundreds of years have passed. Due to fast-paced times, new generations, younger musicians, including myself, needed to adapt to a popular demand and new requirements. However, I believe in being yourself and staying who you are, but at the same time realizing and paving the way to what makes you so special in a world of many performers, composers, and active musicians who are constantly posting and posing on social media. It can be overwhelming and it takes a lot of work combined with years of studying to become a classical concert pianist, award-winning composer, and recording artist. 

While many musicians are seeking instant gratification through social media, I wasn’t looking for anything instant and it thought me valuable lessons. The biggest challenge for me was learning that Patience is a form of action and that there is a right timing for everything. 

Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?

I am very proud of Black Swan of Piano album released for Parma Recordings, Navona Records and Naxos in 2018. It was my first American album, pride and joy of my earlier years because of all the attention and great reviews it got, and huge radio and TV airtime. The album was listed on the list of top 20 classical albums for 2019 year taking spot number 5. Black Swan put me on a world music map and I could only rise from there. Find out more here www.blackswanofpiano.com

 

Which particular works/composers do you think you perform the best?

I am told that Rachmaninoff and Chopin are ‘my composers’ under my fingertips, and how I give a fresh angle in performing both of them. I adore performing their music and feel deeply connected. My truest self. 

What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?

I meditate a lot, do yoga on the beach, work on my health and have certain way of life and meaning of my day. I believe being surrounded with incredible energy only enhances my energy so I am always trying to be surrounded by people who are positive and special. 

How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season? 

For many years, I listened to the guidancesof various professors and learned from them. Choice of programme is crucial. It was in 2014 when I simply started creating programmes for different style recitals by finding my voice in certain composers and groups of composers combined together. It took time to feel comfortable to choose a programme on my own, but then I just knew it felt right. It’s something that is organic and comes from within. 

Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?

My dream was always to perform in Carnegie Hall and that is one of the reasons that I came to United States in the first place. Now, in 2023, I’m actually so close to my dream that I can almost touch it. The Parma Recordings team and I are preparing for my Carnegie Hall solo debut in the next 12 to 24 months. 

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?

In my opinion, we need to open concert halls for wider younger audience by implementing a more casual approach to concert playing. From speaking in between our chosen compositions to inform and engage audience to inviting guests from different genres to perform with us in duets or special arrangements, making it open and fun for everyone. For example, I invite a power metal super star, an electric guitarist Denver Cooper, to perform with me, and the audience loves it so much that our videos online are reaching many views and likes. Audience Absolutely adores it. Denver is also a special guest on my album Marta, The Tempest. 

 

What is your most memorable concert experience?

So many of them were memorable and truly special. However, I have to mention a recital where I performed in a duet with my former piano professor Kemal Gekić in a famous Yin and Yang dialogue composed for two pianos by the outstanding Fredrick Kaufman. We performed in front of a full concert hall in Wertheim Performing Arts Center here in Miami and it was something so special for me that it’s hard to explain. That moment when your musical idol becomes your colleague on a same stage is absolutely priceless. 

As a musician, what is your definition of success? 

Success is something earned not just simply gained or inherited. I think I am currently on the road to success every single day earning it little by little. 

What advice would you give to young/aspiring musicians?

Ability to endure in a field of music where they are the strongest. Follow your talent accompanied by your heart’s desires. 

What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about which you think we should be?

Nobody speaks about amount of stress that happens every single day in the lives and careers of musicians in so called serious/classical music world. The requirement is high, and stress, no matter if sometimes productive, happens all the time on multiple levels. From memorizing pages and pages of sheet music, to branding and promoting your name on a daily basis, plus constant multi-tasking mixed with private focused practicing. It’s a lot. 

What’s next? Where would you like to be in 10 years?

In the next few years I need to perform in a couple of very important concert halls all over US and live my dreams on various stages. After that, I will be more relaxed and I’m planning to live between Miami and San Francisco recording, composing, and maybe even teaching at some university. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness is a day after a successful recital where I received great reviews in a concert venue full of people. I am laying down in bed tired, but feeling good with a special sweet tiredness, while dressed in my colourful baggy pajamas, covered with my favourite blanket, eating a large, greasy five-cheese pizza and watching my shows (that I usually don’t have time for). It’s a day with no plans, where I let go and simply stay like a child with no worries or promises for tomorrow. 

 

MARTA, THE TEMPEST is available now on the Navona label.

Artist website: www.blackswanofpiano.com