Barbara Nissman, one of the world’s most celebrated classically-trained master pianists, has created a new online series of conversations and musical performances entitled “Behind the Notes.” The series features Nissman’s thoughts and interpretations of some of the most significant and beloved composers to have ever lived.
“This is about sharing what I do,” Nissman said of the series. “When they watch a performance, most people don’t realize that you’ve been wrestling with these composers for hours in the studio trying to get it right and convey the emotion of their music.”
As the series begins, Nissman greets her viewers by saying, “I’m speaking to you from my music studio in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Normally, I might be talking to you from the stage, but, sadly, these are not normal times.”
“I thought it would be fun to share with you exactly what I do in my studio,” Nissman goes on to say. “I spend a lot of my waking hours here, living with my composer friends, trying to get closer to their spirit and their character, and their intentions when they were writing this marvelous music that I have the chance to perform. I thought it would be nice to take you behind the notes and show you what I do when preparing a piece for performance.”
Throughout the course of her career, few musical-artists have gotten as close to the “spirit and character” of her composer-friends as Nissman.
The New York Times referred to Nissman as “A refined combination of delicacy and passion — her effortless techniques went along with a restrained classicism.”
The Chicago Tribune said of Nissman’s performances: “Virtuosity with her is the handmaiden of musical understanding; where color, intensity, and poetry are required, Nissman delivers the goods.”
Het Parool, an Amsterdam-based newspaper, called Nissman’s play, “a perfect balance between her artistic mastery of the keyboard and her soul.”
But don’t take the word of newspaper critics; listen to Nissman perform Chopin’s “Fantasie in F minor” and experience the beauty of her artistry for yourself.
The 12-part series features Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Shubert, and, of course, Frederic Chopin. Throughout every episode, Nissman explores the artistic process that goes into the performance and shares the timeless stories behind each composition.
Nissman created “Behind the Notes” in support of Carnegie Hall. All proceeds generated from the series will go directly to the iconic Lewisburg institution. Any donation of $50 or more made to Carnegie Hall will grant viewers access to the complete “Behind the Notes” series until April 30, 2021.
This is an ideal way to support the arts in the Greenbrier Valley, and the perfect way to introduce your loved ones to the timeless beauty of Barbara Nissman, and her composer friends.
“Now more than ever, we need music,” Nissman said.” We need music to lift us up and nurture our souls.”
Nissman is the 2020 recipient of the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the state of West Virginia. She has performed with the London Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony and the Rotterdam Philharmonic, to name but a few.
“Behind the Notes” is available by visiting Carnegie Hall’s website at carnegiehallwv.org.
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