Category: Music

French classical pianist Maxime Zecchini, who is among the handful of musicians all over the globe to practise the ‘left hand repertoire’ and play works with just five fingers, as opposed to both the hands, says that it is a delight to share this music with his audience.

“I had discovered this repertoire 20 years ago playing the most famous pieces for the left hand, the Concerto of Maurice Ravel. I did some research on the internet and I have seen that there are a lot of works for the left hand, about 600 pieces. And very few recordings.

“So, I have proposed a discographic label to record the first and unique Anthology in the world for the left hand with 10 CD’s. I have already recorded 8 discs and the complete anthology will be available at the end of 2021. I have recorded a lot of musical styles inside this CD’s: classical music, contemporary music, chamber’s music, concertos with orchestra, film music, etc,” Zecchini, born in 1979, told in an email.

About his repertoire, he says, “the wonder of having the impression of hearing two hands when only five fingers were playing fascinated me. These pieces demonstrate the immense possibilities of the left hand. Thanks to the arrangement of left-hand fingers, its natural flexibility, and the powerful register in the bass of the keyboard, it can even make the piano sound like an orchestra! I am very happy to be able to discover the undeniable poetic richness of this original, virtuoso, and spectacular repertoire.”

Zecchini had completed his 15-day India tour in India in 2016, where he demonstrated the not just the unique repertoire but his masterful skill at it.

Asked how big of a community do left-handed pianists make, the musician says: “We are just three or four pianists in the world to play these works. It’s a delight for me to share this music with the audience, who are always curious and enthusiastic.”

After spending a lot of time at my home without concerts and travels due to COVID-19, Zecchini will also play in front of an audience in Barcelona, Spain, in a concert. Here, he says he will be performing French compositions of Debussy, Ravel, Michel Legrand and other famous French songs.

What are his thoughts on cultural exchanges via music? “I love cultural exchanges via music. For example, when I played in India some years ago, I discovered the music of Bollywood with a lot of beautiful songs. It was totally new for me and this music is very beautiful and romantic! I have listened to these songs on YouTube and written an arrangement for my concert which made the audience very emotional. It’s very enriching for me to discover new melodies and new ways of expressing artistically.”

He concludes by saying that he finds Indian music very romantic and melodious. “I don’t know very well the Indian music for piano and keyboard but I hope with all my heart to discover and listen to a lot of beautiful pieces if I have the chance to play again in India.”

The award-winning pianist is slated to make his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in April 2021.

The actors have come together for the video by music producer Priya Hebbar, who goes by the name Faynyx as an artiste.

“Freedom is an entirely personal concept that each individual can experience only through the lens they have and the circumstances they are in,” Jim said, adding: “I really enjoyed discussing freedom and what it means to me with the composer and the director and the rest of the team.”

Talking about his definition of freedom and his thoughts about the lockdown, Jim said: “My conception of freedom is not shaken by any one external event, but (it is) more the sum effects of every single external event, and internal biological function.”

“But people probably felt listless and irritable (during lockdown) because their usual responsibilities were taken away. They don’t realise how these responsibilities are the actual ways they find meaning in life. I just tried to give myself new responsibilities. I loved the lockdown,” he added.

On “Freedom Dance”, Bani said: “My interpretation of freedom is to be in a space where judgement, second guessing, resentment — none of that exists, where none of that has any sort of hold over my present moment.

“The global forced lockdown has been a lot of things for people — in terms of their perceptions with freedom. For someone who loves to travel, I discovered so much creativity in my own self, and the spaces available to me,” she added.

Faynyx feels “these unprecedented times have proven that freedom is a state of mind”.