Anna Tsybuleva talks repertoire, advice for amateur pianists and more

If you could play only one piece in the whole repertoire from now on, what would it be?

Different pieces for musicians are like different colours for artists. It's impossible for me to choose only one piece. I would say, if I could choose only one kind of art, I would choose music.

If you could play only one composer from now on, which would it be?

I can't choose only one composer, as they all are like a family for me.

Here she is below, playing Debussy's L'Isle joyeuse: 

One pianist, dead or alive, you’d travel long and far to hear?

Vladimir Horowitz.

One concert hall you’d love to play in?

A hall with people who really love music, and who come to share emotions with the composer and performer.

Any technical struggles?

One technical struggle for me is not to disturb the music while it sounds under my fingers.

What would be your advice to an amateur pianist about how to improve?

 I would advise taking lessons with a good teacher!

If you weren’t a pianist, what would you be?

I am very glad that I am a musician and pianist. I don't know what other professions could give me such possibilities to explore and express myself.

One person you’d love to play for (dead or alive)?

Brahms. Maybe not even to play for, but just to talk a little bit.

One composer you’re not quite ready to tackle?

Rachmaninov. But I feel I will be closer to him soon, now that I’m doing my last mental preparations.

What other kinds of music do you like listening to?

I spend my time listening to classical music all day long, no matter whether I play it, somebody else plays it, or whether it’s just sounds of music in my head. And if I have some time without music around me, I love to listen to the silence, just to let my ears rest and recover.

Photo: © Vera Ley

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