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 come from a musical family so music was always there. I actually really wanted to be a doctor (and still do!) but my school said I must use my talent as a musician and follow that path…. I was joint-first student of violin and piano until the end of university and growing up orchestral playing was a huge passion of mine. I loved listening to all and any Classical and Romantic symphonies. Tchaikovsky was a particular favourite and the recordings with the Oslo PO and Mariss Jansons, who I adored! I also loved choral music and any recordings featuring Anthony Rolfe Johnson – the Bach Passions, Mozart operas, Haydn Creation and The Seasons….. I was a very unusual teenager… those works were my pop music!I learnt so much from the conductor George Hurst. I played for him for many years and he was a very hard taskmaster, but he taught me so much about the ebb and flow of music, rubato, breath, line, passion, communication, letting the music speak for itself. Also working with Sir Charles Mackerras was an enormous privilege and experience – working with him on Janacek operas and playing continuo for him. He was such a wonderful musician. My love of Lieder was very much inspired by Barbara Bonney and Geoffrey Parsons’ recordings of Schubert and Mendelssohn and I’ve always hugely admired Britten’s piano playing.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Being a woman in what is very much a man’s world. The world of song is so dominated by male pianists.
Of which performances/recordings are you most proud?
I haven’t listened to any of them for a while! People often say to me how much they love the On Wenlock Edge with James Gilchrist and the Fitzwilliam Quartet. I love the recording of Beethoven An die ferne Geliebte and there’s a funny story attached to that. We ran it despite being absolutely exhausted at the end of 3 days of recording Winterreise and Schwanengesang. We’d decided to stop but I just started playing it and James joined in. We had no idea at the time that our producer was recording it. It went so well it’s basically a one take wonder. We were so shocked and delighted to hear it had been recorded. I feel you can hear the freedom and spontaneity in it!I’ve got a disc about to come out which I am very proud of but don’t think I can say what it is yet!!
Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?
Schumann and Schubert chamber music and Lieder. I will never ever tire of playing and exploring those song cycles.
What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?
The parallels with sport for me are quite significant. The mental strength you have to have, the preparation, being “match fit”. Watching cricketers opening the batting, tennis players….etc. I’m inspired by the artistry of some sports pros…. Roger Federer for example! Playing tennis myself and being aware of enjoying myself, hitting freely, taking risks, going for it and being positive…. I apply all that to my piano playing!Before going on stage having a few moments to quiet my mind and focus on my breathing is important for me to get in the right headspace. Yoga has helped with that.
How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?
It varies. Sometimes specific works are requested. Other times there are themes to fit in with but I’m constantly trying to come up with new ideas for programmes and researching ideas and repertoire, particularly the wealth of music out there which so unjustly is rarely or never heard.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
The Wigmore Hall is always a joy to perform in.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
Playing in Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw for the first time was something I’ll never forget, but most memorable was probably playing Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time in St David’s Cathedral in Wales, late at night with the entire cathedral in darkness except for four lights on our music stands. It’s such an incredibly powerful piece and the feeling we got from the audience at the end was so moving. There was just silence for so long with a sense of so much emotion in the space. It was a long time ago but I’ll never forget it. Also playing the Brahms horn trio in the Camposanto Monumentale next to the Duomo in Pisa was amazing! The recital I did with Lucy Crowe during lockdown at Wigmore Hall with no audience was definitely something I’ll never forget. Very emotional.
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
Moving an audience. Taking them on a journey, enabling them to feel different emotions. Bringing people pleasure through communicating beautiful, powerful, passionate music to them.
What advice would you give to young/aspiring musicians?
Be versatile, flexible, learn as many skills as you can, always try and get ahead with your preparation.
What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?
I wish I knew! Accessibility, losing the stigma that classical music is stuffy and boring, which sadly I think too many young people feel.
What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about which you think we should be?
The lack of female pianists at the top level in the song world…… and in chamber music. I had to say that!!!!! Also, being a musician is a jolly hard career and people opening up and talking about their struggles, frustrations, worries, insecurities etc., should happen more as too many people suffer in silence afraid to share what they’re feeling.
What’s next? Where would you like to be in 10 years?
Performing concerts all round the world with lots of different artists.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sitting at Lord’s watching cricket with a large G&T….Playing Dichterliebe or the Schumann piano quartet or quintet with dear friends.
What is your most treasured possession?
Well obviously I should say my beautiful Steinway B which I feel so lucky to have, but also my gin collection! I have over 140 different bottles!
What is your present state of mind?
As a huge supporter of the England Cricket team I try always to have an optimistic/hopeful frame of mind…… It’s taken a bit of a knock recently! I went to India for the first test match which we won. I then came home and we lost all the others…… I blame myself!
Anna Tilbrook performs with James Gilchrist in The Earth has Music, an evening recital on Thursday 18 April at this year’s Leeds Lieder. Find out more
(Image: Victoria Cadisch)
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