Italian classical pianist Christian Leotta: Passion not perfection
Premier piano player Christian Leotta, the young Italian act who performs and recorded all 32 of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s piano sonatas, is currently in Manila to perform tonight, 7:30 pm, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.
The show, to be held at CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater), is entitled “An Evening with Christian Leotta: From Bach to the Romantic Piano of Schubert, Rossini and Beethoven."
The Embassy of Italy in Manila and the Philippine Italian Association, together with other groups, are bringing the classical pianist who started playing the instrument at age seven.
What he thinks is a 'boring' performance
“Each city is different so I’ll treat Manila in a way like no other,” shared Leotta in a chat with Filipino journalists at the Boardroom of Rustan’s Makati Monday afternoon.
A number of Filipino students will be able to play with him as he was also set to visit the UP campus.
Looking tame compared to his wild mop of hair, Leotta said of performing: “A perfect performance is the most boring performance. When the feeling is right, mistakes cannot be heard,” he said.
Silence
Born in Catania, Italy, he noted that he chooses what he listens to.
In fact, when he needs to rest his ears, he politely asks people to shut off all sound.
He explained, “It’s a work for me to hear everything. So I need to hear silence from time to time.”
Devotion to Beethoven
For Leotta, Beethoven is “the most universal of all composers.”
Fanfare USA dubbed his complete recording of the 32 Piano Sonatas as a “major addition to other sets currently available.” He completed the said sonatas “in a period of less than a month.”
His program tonight will include Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57,” known colloquially as "Appassionata."
Playing with major orchestras
The 34-year-old studied at the Milan Conservatory under Mario Patuzzi and became a pupil of the acclaimed pianist Karl Ulrich Schnabel.
He has collaborated with major orchestras such as the Münchner Philharmoniker, the Wiener Kammerorchester, the Italian RAI National Television Orchestra and the Milan’s Symphony Orchestra.
He regularly performs at the Philharmonie at the Gasteig in Munich, the Konzerthaus of Vienna, the Tonhalle of Zurich, the Sala Verdi, among others.
Practice, practice, practice
“Every day I play,” he told the local press of his routine.
“First in the order is practicing. Second is practicing. And then third in the order is practicing. You have to exercise and be physically super elastic without any tension. Save your back all the time.”
Asked about his take on music today as compared with before, he argued, “It has to do not only with pianists but with piano makers. These makers have become more mechanical, producing pianos that are powerful but less sensitive. I go for a piano’s beauty and that full-range sound which helps produce the magic.”
Ticket prices are P1000 and 800, with a 20% discount to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. For details, contact the Cultural Center of the Philippines Box Office (832-3704), Ticket World (891-9999) or the Philippine Italian Association (815-1310).
