They hold the keys

To celebrate World Piano Day today, four of India’s best-known pianists share their cherished memories carried on the tunes of a much-loved song

A beautiful harmony
Favourite song: I surrender all

Over the years I’ve heard many interpretations of the song being performed by various pianists and vocalists. And although each of them has something beautiful to offer, no one beats the African -American gospel musicians. This is my opinion but the complexity of the chords, always makes me smile. Every time they played this song in church, I would play those gospel-rich chords in my head. Later, when I played it in my church and tried the chords, I got an earful from the priest. I learned the term ‘know your audience’ the hard way.

Tip: Pick a style of music that you enjoy; and that makes you want to practise. And learn the keyboard and synths — it’s essential to becoming a live musician on the touring circuit.
Garth D’Mello, 31, musician, producer and educator, Mumbai

A musical childhood
Favourite songs: Nirmon and The flight of the bumblebee

My musician father grew up in Goa, and would put on the radio or play Konkani film songs every now and then. And as a six-year-old, I would play it by ear. The family would gather around the piano to hear me and applaud. I learned the second song as a kid during piano training, and won prizes at competitions for it. I kept playing it and thinking of the forests and the buzzing bee, as it kept humming and making honey at breakneck speed. So, my fingers at the piano, too, had to fly. Another memory is of performing at Taj Mahal and being the only pianist after Yanni to do so.

Tip: Technique, talent and passion go hand in hand. Skill without passion is nothing but with it, the talent will endure.
Merlin D’Souza, music composer, producer, director, and pianist with Music Mode and BrandMusiq, Mumbai

Jamming to a future
Recommended song: La Mulata Rumbera - Peruchin Justiz

At 22, I attended a jam session with a band from Latin America touring India. At the session, the pianist of the band invited me to join him on the piano. He was playing a rhythmic phrase played in Cuban music called Montuno. At first, it was a tad challenging to get it because it’s rhythmically twisted. But when I caught the rhythm, he got off the piano, and I was left jamming with these other musicians playing different instruments like drums and congas. This moment was life-changing because I discovered a music form that deeply touched my heart, soul and body. Musician Monojit Datta who saw me play invited me to make a Latin Jazz band later on. So it’s also a moment that changed my career. I deeply cherish that night.

Tip: Practise everything, especially your basics endlessly, so that you are always sharp with your playing and never rusty.
Pradyumna Singh Manot, 37, Afro-Cuban jazz pianist and music educator, Kolkata

Fireworks in the room
Favourite song: Feux d’artifice (The Fireworks) by Claude Debussy

The piece mimics a firework display, growing quietly with sudden bursts, and ending with the distant sound of Les Marseillaise. I performed it 13 years ago at my first solo recital. It was one of the hardest pieces I had to learn at the time. I worked hard to successfully imitate the fireworks while tackling several virtuous passages. It remains one of my most cherished memories. I still remember every note that I played, the energy of the audience, and the world I managed to paint for everyone in those four and a half minutes. The inexplicable feeling of communicating without words is why I decided to choose a path of performance, and I have this piece to thank for it.

Tip: I learn a lot when away from the instrument. By collecting new experiences, you have so much to draw from emotionally, as an artist.
Nadine Crasto, 30, Master of Arts in Solo Piano Performance, Mumbai

History beckons

Pianist Nils Frahm and his friends celebrated the piano. He founded World Piano Day in 2015. To put the day in context, Frahm said, “Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano-builders, tuners, movers and most importantly, the listener.”

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