Hi! How are you? Where are you?
HI! I'm fine, thanks, I'm in New York


What's on your schedule right now?
Just came back from Budapest, where I played at the Spring Festival, and
Washington DC, and I'm going to Italy for other concerts.


If you hadn't chosen for music, what do you think you would do right now?
The Veterinarian, something with languages and public relations, or the forensic detective.


What or who was your biggest influence as an artist?
Nina Svetlanova, my mentor in New York


What's the hardest part about being a musician and what's the best?
The worst: Loneliness, traveling a lot, not having a normal life,
difficulties in having personal relationships.
The best: When I'm on stage, I feel like a queen, I can give joy to my audience and convey my passion to them. The  creation process is exciting!


What's your view on the classical music scene at present? Is there a crisis?
Definitely it is a more restrict field compared to others like pop and rock.
I guess the crisis because we are not able to generate enough interest in
classical music. People think that it is boring music or music for old people. I
guess something has to do with the fact that we have the wrong people teaching music to the kids. They don't interest the kids enough in discovering the beauty of music. If we don't interest young people, once the old classical music lovers will die, we will have no future!


Some feel there is no need to record classical music any more, that it's all
been done before. What do you tell them?
I think every artist will always have something to say. I'm continuing
recording...


What constitutes a good live performance in your opinion? What's your
approach to performing on stage?
Spontaneity, being able to transmit your feelings, emotions and passion.
Connect with the audience. Make them feel like they can go home happier.
At my performances, I try to do all of the above.


What does the word "interpretation" mean to you?
Giving my personal view, reading music with my inner emotions, which are my unique ones.


True or false: It is the duty of an artist to put his personal emotions into
the music he plays.
Absolutely true


True or false: "Music is my first love."
True


True or false: People need to be educated about classical music, before they
can really appreciate it.
Being educated helps a bit, but it is not necessary. People can "feel" the
music and sometimes someone is not educated has a cleaner approach to the music and is able to absorb the emotions better.


You are given the position of artistic director of a concert hall. What would
be on your program for this season?
Some classical famous pieces, some different repertoire like south american
music, tangos, cuban music, some other kinds of music. I would like to offer a variety of styles for a bigger audience.


What's your favourite classical CD at the moment?
I'm not listening to classical music at the moment. I'm listening to
Riccardo Cocciante (a great Italian song writer), a compilation with my favourite song, Margherita.


Have you ever tried playing a different instrument? If yes, how good were you at it?
For fun, I held a violin in my hands on a few occasions. The result was always ridiculous!


Discography:
Dance with Me                  
Beethoven Sonatas (Op. 109, 110, 111)   
Beethoven Sonatas (Op. 13, 53, 57)             
Chopin Piano Works    
Scarlatti
Schumann - Schumann/Liszt   
Scarlatti, Chopin, Piazzolla, Lecuona             
Piano's Greatest Hits
Sabor Latino   
Lecuona Piano Works    
Lecuona Piano Works, Vol. 2    
Piazzolla Tangos
ITHAKA    
A Musical Journey  
Live in New York, Vol. I     
Live in New York, Vol. II

Homepage:
Cristiana Pegoraro