'To me a performance is not an exhibition-- it's an offering.” - Marc-André Hamelin

Living the Classical Life: Episode 84
Filmed on October 21, 2019. Living the Classical Life presents a long-awaited exclusive conversation with distinguished pianist and composer Marc-André Hamelin. The narrative centers around the preparation and mindset for a Carnegie Hall appearance, and how Hamelin has managed to find a zone of performance completely free of the nerves that often plague others. Unique anecdotes and insights into his inner world reveal many surprises from a prolific musical life.

[erpollock]

Marc Andre Hamelin is one of the most personable concert pianists I have met, and I've met quite a number. He is amusing and modest, and highly intelligent.

[navrozelalkaka]

What a wonderful human being & that can be said of the interviewer too. Truly humble & oozing musical genius.

[lydiagala]

He doesn't have any ego, that's why he doesn't fear the stage, only has music to offer, pure music. I love this pianist since ever, I appreciate how bravely he chooses his repertoire. I heard the best N. MEDTNER works played by him!! 🎶👏👏👏

[Janaceks_Dad]

Never had a chance to hear him in concert...but I'm amazed at how he is able to memorize and play some of the most obscure, yet monstrously difficult scores...

[avb]

I watched him live at Carnegie Hall a couple years ago. This guy's piano technique has got to be one of the best on earth

[denise]

“I want (people) to judge (and love) the music and not me.” For Hamelin, the music is not bound up in his ego.
I love this series and how Bognar allows artists to talk deeply about music. However, I sometimes feel, as I do in this episode, that he hasn’t always understood that great musicians are on another level, and that their performances are about the music and not about looking or sounding great to the audience. It goes to another level. As listeners, we are given the opportunity to share in the beauty and wonder of the art, the music.

[eliaseiffert]

finally Hamelin, my hero 🙏
fantastic Interview as always!!

[leonardmartin]

I absolutely adore Hamelin. He has insane technique, wonderful phrasing and last but not least he is offering and introducing me and many others to composers like Alkan and their work. It can get tiring to hear a chopin waltz or nocturne for the thousands time. Its so mainstream, that its almost too much. So im glad he comes up with new (old) pieces.

[alkanian]

I remember chatting with him on AIM during my oberlin years back in 2001. I was and still am obsessed with his compositions. I played his Rossini etude and prelude and fugue on my senior recital in Oberlin. I sent him a recording and he complimented me saying these were composed for you! I’ll never forget that!

[herobrine]

I had to google the definitions of like 30 vocabulary words I heard during their interview! Brilliant people.

[m.a.]

such a thoughtful and reflective interview, thank you for sharing this gem!

[dreamsdreams]

We are so fortunate to have copious audio (studio and live recordings) evidence to affirm that Hamelin is and will be the greatest piano virtuoso in the history of mankind.

[sospiroso]

If only more performers were like him. Always the music first, leave your egos behind and offer some beautiful music from the heart, instead of worrying about what you look like. Brilliant!

[giroup]

Wow that was such an incredible moment, both the interviewer and Hamelin were such a pleasure to listen to.

[evantublitz]

Marc is truly the type of musician who is, first and foremost, kind and brilliant human being who brings his magnificent gifts and talent to the world of music. Interestingly, he truly enlightens our appreciation of every piece bringing a burnished musicianship replete with intelligence, burnished technique and expresses all the variety of human emotions and yes, we adore his sense of humor! What a guy!

[ItsPiano]

And this is why some musicians are way higher than others. They describe themselves as a Translator! and their purpose is to provide the composer's thoughts to the audience as clear as they can. Hamelin is just amazing ...
Thanks a lot for this great interview ❤

[gustavoeliasmorales]

To me hamelin is the most unbelievable pianist I know just sheer virtuosity totally under his belt gotta be one of the best in the world

[bernamej]

Probably the living musician that has affected me most in my life, and my life (the enjoyable part of it) has been mostly affected by music

[stevenru]

His concert at Carnegie, was perhaps, the best concert I've ever been

[MichaelKaykov]

Wow! Amazing interview. So insightful...