Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, pianist

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I was inspired by my siblings playing music all around the house. I was surrounded by music from a very young age and so it was very natural for me to take up the piano. I also remember my Dad would show me lots of videos of pianists on YouTube, in particular Krystian Zimerman playing Chopin’s Ballades.

Who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?

Yuja Wang has been a big influence on my career and motivation. As a teenager I watched a lot of her videos and went to see her perform as often as I could. Her consistency and dedication have inspired me the most and I’ve always been impressed by her boldness to be completely herself.

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

I think some of my biggest challenges so far are the transitions; for instance, getting into senior college or my first big concert – I am learning how to navigate each change as it happens.

Of which performances/recordings are you most proud?

One of the performances I’m most proud of is when I played Ravel’s Concerto in G major when I was about 15 or 16. I was so very nervous the day before and then when I went on stage I felt totally connected and excited about playing the piece. My nerves vanished and I just knew I could do it…

I’m also proud of my recent performance at Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall, where I played Rachmaninov’s Concerto No 2, as I felt as if I was stepping into my own spotlight, which was exciting.

Which particular works do you think you perform best?

I love performing Chopin and I think it’s because I now find his music very familiar. I have been playing his music for a while and that gives me confidence in how I might approach a piece of his that’s new to me, and my own interpretation of it. I’m also at a stage where I am coming back to works that I played at a very young age, which is interesting!

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

It’s always a challenge when I am trying to come up with new programmes but it’s a challenge I really enjoy. Very often it’s in conversations with my piano teacher. We always have audiences in mind and what we think would be the most engaging from one piece to the next, but also thinking about which pieces complement each other well.

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

Yes, I would say that my favourite venue to date is the Nottingham Concert Hall. It’s in my home town and the reception is always very warm, the acoustic is wonderful, and of course I have performed on that stage many times.

What is your most memorable concert experience?

I would say the BBC Proms 2021. The scale of the Royal Albert Hall, the audience, the whole Festival – it’s an extraordinary experience!

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

A big question! I always feel I have succeeded really with the small things. By that I mean finally mastering a difficult passage, or say, a close friend noticing positive changes in your playing.

What do you consider to be the most important ideas and advice to impart to aspiring musicians

To stay interested and inspired. Try to absorb as much of the industry as possible as there is so much that is now accessible, not only live concerts but the online world as well. It all helps with learning and gaining experience by watching and listening to others.

What is the most important issue we should be talking about in classical music that is not being addressed?

AI. It has the potential to rapidly alter the musical landscape, and we have to be aware of this and work against its more negative aspects.

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason’s debut solo album ‘Fantasie’ is released on Friday 7 March 2025 on the Sony Classical label. From Claude Debussy, Frédéric Chopin and Alexander Scriabin to Florence Price, Margaret Bonds and William Grant Still, Jeneba presents a programme which is also very personal to her as an artist. Find out more

Artist image © Johanna Berghorn/Sony Classical