Pianist Maria João Pires at Pungwoldang on the 18th. The picture she is holding was drawn and gifted by Pungwoldang CEO Park Jong-ho. Provided by Pungwoldang ,
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, Fan Meeting at Pungwoldang on the 18th
Nationwide Recital from the 20th
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, ‘”It is really dangerous for musicians to think of performing as ‘my thing.’ It is about performing together with the audience, as ‘ours.'”‘,
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, ‘On stage, Maria João Pires (80) presents a different image from what the public expects of a pianist. Instead of flashy glamorous dresses and high heels, she wears natural fabric clothes and flat shoes. From playing Mozart piano sonatas at the age of 5 to performing Mozart piano concertos at the age of 7, she still meets her audience with the same natural demeanor.’,
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, ‘At a recent meeting with Korean fans at Pungwoldang, a classical music store in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 18th, Pires openly shared her thoughts on her music and values. The event, held prior to her solo concert in Korea starting in two days, was so popular that the 80 seats were quickly filled, and some had to stand and watch. The enthusiasm turned it into a fan meeting.’,
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, ‘Pires defines performance as a “two-way conversation listening not only to composers and conductors but also to the sounds of the orchestra and the audience.” She said, “Performance is about sharing everything, from life and suffering to happiness, not just a conversation with oneself, and I always enjoy sharing the stage with someone.”‘,
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, ‘”It’s a really dangerous thought for musicians to say ‘my way.’ You have to listen to the audience, and the audience has to listen to you. Our conversation should be two-way.”‘,
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Pianist Maria João Pires. Provided by InArt Production ⓒCaroline_Doutre ,
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, ‘During her upcoming solo concerts in Korea, Pires will perform Mozart’s Piano Sonatas No. 10 and 13, Chopin’s Nocturnes, and more. She is renowned as a Mozart and Chopin specialist. She emphasized, “Each person’s temperament, emotions, and character attract someone to them,” and said, “I prefer to say that I love and enjoy learning these pieces of music, rather than being called a specialist.”‘,
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, ‘Pires has a special fondness for Mozart. Even after playing Mozart for over 70 years, she mentioned, “Mozart always arouses interest.” She explained, “Mozart’s music brings joy and tears, pain and light all at once in the same phrase.”‘,
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, ‘”Hand technique is not the technique that actually creates music,” she said, “Our bodies are a kind of instrument, and knowing the body well helps us play better, as emotions are emitted through this instrument.”‘,
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, ‘Pires also did not forget to address piano performance education. In 1999, she established the Belgais Arts Center in her home country of Portugal to nurture young musicians. Pires remarked, “It is really dangerous to emphasize career over art and confuse career with art,” and added, “Emphasizing competitions alone leads to a path unrelated to art.”‘,
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, ‘She also expressed a critical view of master classes. Pires pointed out, “The term itself implies that masters are teaching those who do not know well,” and stressed, “It is better when the teacher and the learner start from an equal position.”‘,
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, ‘”There is no art in career. Art exists independently. I believe art is sacred.”‘,
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, ‘Starting from Seoul Arts Center on the 20th, Maria João Pires will hold solo concerts at Incheon Arts Center on the 21st, Daejeon Arts Center on the 26th, Daegu Concert House on the 27th, and Gangdong Art Center in Seoul on the 29th. On October 26th, at Seongnam Arts Center, she will perform Schubert’s Winterreise with baritone Matthias Goerne.’,
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