“THE PIANO PROJECT”, is an initiative that continues to keep its commitment to the public, always looking for innovative projects. Projects that combine creativity and social impact.

Evi Valis spoke with Mr. Michalis Taga in order to find out more about “The Piano Project”, about the autumn program of events and also his opinion about the musical education that the Greeks have today.

With Lady Lipworth trustee of the Philharmonia Orchestra London

Would you like to tell us a little about ‘The Piano Project’?

THE PIANO PROJECT, www.thepianoproject.eu an initiative founded by myself and Dimitri Ashkenazy, with the participation of the rest of the Askenazy family, continues to keep its commitment to the public, always looking for innovative projects. Projects that combine creativity and social impact. AMKE was founded in 2019 marching in the midst of a pandemic, “The Piano Project” is a non-profit organization founded to support artistic culture and preserve the heritage and tradition of classical music. As a means of encouraging the performing arts, The Piano Project organizes charity concerts and musical events that highlight the talent of outstanding artists. At the same time, the organization collaborates with voluntary bodies, including famous artists and music festivals, for the further development of “The Piano Project” by offering and highlighting the timelessness of classical music, which has survived through the centuries, but also of the visual arts. The aim is to pass on to the next generation the art of classical music, with an emphasis on the piano. A transition that is more difficult than ever.

Also, THE PIANO PROJECT supports, among others, other organizations and agencies such as the NGO “ANGELS OF JOY”, Princess Irene Sturdza (nee Lemos) an organization with a large Public Benefit project, as well as smaller agencies. A smaller organization that came to me as information first, where it needs to be better known and which might be worth a visit is “Residential Therapy”, specializing in speech therapy, occupational therapy and special education, with home services under the guidance and coordination of Mr. Lykas, as the head of the small team he has created. They offer treatments to sensitive social groups with their services. This case serves as a function, one might say, hence the reference. This discovery requires emotional involvement. So in the end, it is a project that will definitely bring us a clearer awareness.

The fall edition of THE PIANO PROJECT is a tribute to the essence of Chopinist Fou Tsong’s artistic value. Why was this particular artist chosen?

First of all, he was my mentor and teacher of the highest form and beyond his musical idiom, he was unique in his interpretations of Chopin. His interpretations have characteristic clarity, expressiveness, technical precision, style, poetry and emotional depth. But also his distinct humanitarian attitude towards man and the reference, as a support offered by great art. Virtues that he transmitted to his students, always saying a characteristic phrase “First be a good person, then an artist, then a musician and finally a pianist!” Values, which characterize his musical philosophy, the wisdom of life and his humanity.

THE PIANO PROJECT organizes charity concerts and musical events that highlight the talent of exceptional artists. How is the public response to these events?

The response is frequent and dense I would say, there is a small and fanatical audience of years already in the Greek area, where it grows gradually over time but mainly with the rotation of the musical and artistic programs that gives a variety. There is a talented group of selected artists from abroad who are among the most recognized and charismatic talents today. The success of this venture is extraordinary. As they carry the message, by extension worldwide – in their promotion.

As part of this year’s autumn program, which events will take place?

The first event aimed to remember and dedicate to the spirituality of the place and the landscape. A piano recital by me personally at the Reading Society of Corfu in collaboration with Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa as part of the “When hospitality meets Art” event with works by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin and Satie last September.

The second, he proposed the publication of a book, by a deep authorial inner voice, as Schumann was wont to do, in instrumental music. The presentation of the book by Yiannis Efstathiadis entitled “above all music” took place on October 14 at the Athens Concert Hall.

The third event, in a spirit of dialogue between music, text and audience, focuses on the interpretation of the great composers. In a special tribute to the Pianist Fou Tsong and by extension to the composer Frederic Chopin.

Do you think the Greeks have a classical music education?

The general level of Greeks in classical music is much higher now. The younger generation of artists invested with the culture, the guidance the artistic taste of the previous generation didactically, great artists, succeeds admirably in attracting the attention of a larger scale public percentage. So we are on the right track I feel.

You have already traveled a remarkable path in the field of music. What advice would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a professional piano and music artist?

It is a bit difficult to take on a responsibility of mentoring and someone else in particular. I ponder the responsibility of the question for a younger artist. However, I think that once he strongly feels this need, he should definitely follow this path which will reward him in the long run. The reward, is very great, of the primary emotion from this timeless art that has stood for centuries. It’s a very fair give and take.

What does your relationship with the piano mean to you and how do you approach it as a means of expression?

It is a way of life, a deep dialogue, we dialogue with the piano, the sequence of sounds and the notes of the music of the great composers where it accompanies us for hours afterwards, maybe for days. It is an independent art. So with my daily contact, as you can see, it gets a bigger size. Sometimes it happens that an automatic comparison is made in everyday life… perhaps from “poorer dialogues” that you can have in the course of daily life from the various stimuli, so somehow all of this defines you. But it is a refuge, a support, a medicine in the difficult hours and days of life, which admittedly are not few.