REMOTE is a new interview series with a focus on how local and international performing artists are navigating the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These are stories of resilience, and the manifold ways their creative drive is finding new expressions and platforms to reach audiences in isolation.
Jan Lisiecki, one of the most celebrated young pianists on the global stage, joins Ludwig Van for this episode of REMOTE with some words on life as a performing artist during a pandemic. His highly anticipated appearance with the TSO on April 1st was cancelled for COVID reasons, but he’s keeping busy nevertheless. While quarantined at his parents home in Calgary, he’s been making bread, growing his repertoire and watching old Polish comedies.
How are you doing during this pandemic?
I’m doing very well. It’s very unusual for me to be home this long; in fact, I think this has already been the longest stretch I’ve been home for at least 4-5 years. On the one hand it’s something that I’m not used to, on the other hand I’m enjoying it — it doesn’t feel like it’s been such a long time, yet.
Now that you have some free time, what are the ways are you keeping busy?
Frankly, I sometimes feel like the days are too short. It’s funny because it seems there’s a limitless amount of time, but between the things that I have to do — and the things I want to do and the ways that I want to grow as a human and as a person — there’s not enough time for everything. I’ve started learning new repertoire on the piano — some that I have programmed for this season and the next season, and some that I purely wanted to learn and haven’t had the time, and some for future projects.
At home, I am baking, I’ve been enjoying making all kinds of bread: a sourdough starter, it’s a long-term project that takes a few hours of every day… It’s fun, different. I’m learning German, as well, which takes up another few hours a day. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, to be able to read, write and speak German, but never had enough time.
What are you missing the most right now?
I think I’m more addicted to travel than being on stage, so that’s certainly the thing I’m missing the most. It’s not because I feel trapped or stranded at home, rather it’s just that I don’t know when I will be able to get on the road again. I think that uncertainty is the worst part for most of us, not knowing when this will end. That’s what I think I’m missing the most.
Of course, I miss my audiences, without a doubt, I miss performing on stage…and frankly I’m rather curious of how I will feel when I’m back on stage. Will it be overwhelming? Will it be normal? Something that I’m rediscovering? Or will it feel like I never stopped? That’s something that I can’t really know. When I said that this is the longest I’ve been at home for the past five years, it’s also the longest I’ve gone without playing a concert. It’s going to be a rather remarkable feeling when I’m back on stage.
Books, films, or TV on the go?
Right now I’m reading books that are written in Polish that you might not know, another thing that I’ve wanted to do for a while now. I’ve been watching all sorts of films, from classic Polanski to old Polish comedies to many of the Oscar nominations from last year. I’m simply enjoying having the time with my family and watching those at home. Pretty much two or three movies every week.
What is the one thing you can’t live without right now?
Nothing in particular. It’s nice that we still have so many luxuries when you think about it.
I’m sure I’m not the only one making this comparison, but when Bach was writing his incredible music there were diseases all around, no electricity or gas, and yet he wrote all these unbelievable works that obviously gave him joy too. I think that’s what we have to focus on. I think there’s really nothing that I can’t live without, so I’m enjoying life as it is.
Any words of wisdom to get through this?
Aside from some of the things I mentioned earlier, I just want to wish all of you health and happiness and hope to see you again soon.
Read more from this series HERE.
#LUDWIGVAN
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