Jan Lisiecki: Portrait of a charismatic piano virtuoso

He’s one of the piano greats. This Canadian musician of Polish heritage dazzles audiences both with his virtuosity and with the maturity of his interpretations. He comes across as a pianist with decades of experience. But Jan Lisiecki is just 27 years old.
Lisiecki is a modest interviewee; he speaks candidly about his love for the piano and how he manages his huge workload, as well as how he values his personal life. A multi-faceted picture emerges of an extraordinary pianist known for his capacity for profound self-reflection. And of course, we get to hear him play throughout the video, with excerpts from some of his most powerful performances.
We met Jan Lisiecki during his performance with the New York Philharmonic in Peenemünde on the German island of Usedom in May 2022.
At a glance:
00:00 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
01:06 Jan Lisiecki on his early mastery/maturity on the piano
02:00 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
02:22 Jan Lisiecki on joy and pain at his live concerts
03:01 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
03:44 Jan Lisiecki on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5
04:58 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
05:31 Jan Lisiecki on how he prepares for a concert
06:15 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
06:41 Jan Lisiecki on playing the piano at 3 a.m.
07:16 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
07:39 Jan Lisiecki when asked what time he goes to bed
07:52 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, rehearsal
08:03 Jan Lisiecki on the balance between professional and personal life
08:49 Jan Lisiecki at the beach on the island of Usedom
08:57 Jan Lisiecki on other forms of art and how they influence him
09:52 Robert Schumann, Night Pieces, Op. 23, I. Funeral Procession, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
10:57 Jan Lisiecki on his youth and how he came to music
11:57 Maurice Ravel, Gaspard de la nuit, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
12:20 Jan Lisiecki on how he learns a new piece
13:26 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
14:06 Jan Lisiecki on his affection for Chopin and his Polish roots
15:04 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
15:40 Jan Lisiecki on stereotypes in music and in life
16:50 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
17:32 Jan Lisiecki on his purist approach to music and jumping barriers
18:39 Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
19:14 Jan Lisiecki on being mentioned in the same breath with other star pianists
20:33 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” K. 265/300e, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
20:59 Jan Lisiecki on Germany - one of his favorite places
21:40 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” K. 265/300e, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
22:17 Jan Lisiecki on his ideas of how to spread classical music
23:35 Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, Jan Lisiecki, piano, excerpt
Thumbnail: © Christoph Köstlin / Deutsche Grammophon
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[@rutchs7734]

His interview has convinced me that classical music remains safe in the hands of younger gen. of classical pianists. 🎉❤

[@user-do7zw6pf6h]

You are amazing! Your professionalism and talent are truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your incredible music with us. You are a great inspiration to so many of us! Warm regards!

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

What a delightful interview!🎹🎼🎶🎵🌹

[@fernandoferdinand4866]

This young man is an old soul and his heart and mind in coherence is definitely illuminated..I'm so mesmerized watching and listening to his music and his interpretations of classical music..🙏🌟👍🇨🇦❤️

[@keepcalmandplaybach1882]

I just shared his performance last night at Wigmore Hall. What a fantastic naturally focused pianist he is. We all shared the beautiful moment in the hall and it’s absolutely magical. It was like as if I’m standing in front of his paintings - varied personal colours, open space, nature, soul, innovative way of projecting layers of harmony, lineages between Preludes, etc …I can’t stop talking about it. it’s just mesmerising. Bravo and looking forward to the next celebration of his music.

[@Shaan_Suri]

What an inspiration! So talented, but what surprised me, so well-spoken. I could listen to him talk about music for hours. I hope to hear him live one day.

[@RVgeeks]

What a wonderful profile of our favourite pianist! We have been fortunate to see Jan perform live on five occasions, beginning when he was only 17, and will be flying from Canada to San Diego in January 2024 for his performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto #20. There aren't many artists we'd hop on a plane just to see, but Jan is simply amazing, and #20 is one of my favourite pieces. Can't wait!

[@RVgeeks]

Sadly, the 2-year renovation on the San Diego concert hall where Jan was scheduled to perform will not be completed in time for his concert, so it was canceled. We’ll just have to keep an eye out for our next opportunity to witness his amazing talents! 🎶🎼🎵🎹

[@vaughangarrick]

definitely one of my favourites, we're living in a golden time of youthful influx of talent. When last did you see so many breathtaking talents hit the world?

[@tr7938]

Same as any time in history.

[@Anamariasierra]

Verdaderamente eres un genio en la musica clasica y un ser muy espiritual. Felicitaciones Jan que Dios te cuide porque . haces feliz a las generaciones de mi edad y al mismo tiempo a la juventud que tiene el privilegio de gustar del piano y de la musica del gran Ludwig von Beethoven

[@cathylu5709]

My friend and I saw Jan play with the Vancouver Symphony Feb 23. It was an amazing experience! The pieces spanned the whole spectrum of the human emotions and so masterfully communicated. It was mesmerizing. It was clear during the concert that he was giving 100% and he was enjoying it, just as he said during this interview. Thank you Jan!

[@RVgeeks]

We live right here in Vancouver, and SO wanted to attend that concert (Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21). But we had to be out of town, and couldn't make it. (Very frustrating, as we live right next door to the Orpheum Theatre!) We're making up for it by flying to San Diego this coming January for his performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto No.20 instead. Jan is indeed mesmerizing (we've seen him 5 times over the past 10 years). Can't wait for #6!!

[@cathylu5709]

@@RVgeekslucky you live right in Vancouver. I live in Edmonton and seems that he never plays a concert in Alberta these days. Maybe too close to home? Enjoy your concert experiences.

[@willemp6432]

I just found him and I don`t like saying this but, he is greater than I will ever be. I am Not a musician but a painter. People like him makes me humble. I just found a new happy thing in my life. I am a fan. 💙

[@angryowl6226]

im from the city he’s from!! im going to see him next week, im so excited ^^

[@g_lee273]

Such an inspiration! I love how he made all the familiar classics alive in his way! His interpretation of Gaspard de la nuit os my new favorite.. Also in here I can find he’s such an honest sensitive soul..! Thanks for the program DW.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for your words! We're so glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@fabiovalenza9811]

Eccezionale!

[@carolruiz8279]

I am obsessed with him! he plays with soul. and he's beautiful

[@1712Alfred]

“..Presenting yourself as it is, with no embellishments but with full confidence..” Thank you Jan for presenting your TRUE artistry to the world. 🙏🎹

[@knoxbrown2550]

Going to see him perform Chopin in Dallas in March. Thrilled!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Enjoy!

[@gracewu8234]

Jan Lisiecki is such an inspiration to me as a young musician! I particularly love his interpretations of the Chopin Nocturnes and Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso. I hope to see one of his concerts in the future!

[@luis_ar2146]

When I talk about Chopin, I usually say that I used to think that I didn't like Chopin. I was wrong. Actually, it was just that I hadn't yet listened to a performance that could move my feelings. Jan Lisiecki was the first one, and later, I came across another performer who could make me feel with Chopin. Of course, I don't understand anything about techniques and academic music, but in the end, aren't feelings what count in art?

[@waggawaggaful]

A lot of times I have no way of cracking into and appreciating a piece until I hear an interpretation that unlocks it for me. The Chopin scherzo in B minor never made any sense to me and just sounded like a bunch of noise until I heard Jan's snippet here. I'll have to go find a full recording and finally appreciate the work.

[@xelakram]

Wonderful!

[@sonjagarza]

I saw Jan play with the Seattle Symphony last night from the front row. Pure magic. I was in awe watching him play. Extremely talented and gifted person.☺️

[@carolruiz8279]

im so freaking jealous

[@sonjagarza]

@@carolruiz8279 it was awesome. Hopefully you will have same opportunity some day. 🙂

[@quaver1239]

Thank you! Didn’t you give this to us a few weeks ago?! It remains very, very interesting, and does not lose anything in the retelling. Mr Lisiecki is a remarkably wise young man. Many thanks, DW.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Yes, we had already uploaded this video a few weeks ago. Now there is an improved version of it.

[@stefanbalcerak3830]

❤️🎹dziękuję

[@Eristhenes]

Look at him, all growd up🤭. I saw him at Weill Recital Hall for the Bradshaw & Buono piano competition when he was still a kid👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@lmacosta6122]

a great and inspiring pianist.

[@dwightlindgron4657]

The music from the great masters flows from your fingers and through your soul.

[@mariaineschavezsantander7110]

Traducir al frances

[@fabiodantas4847]

Estupendo! Bravo!

[@kaiocezare9399]

Muito lindo. Que maravilha ♥️💪

[@Stefan_G.]

Macht Spaß, zuzuhören und zuzusehen. Wie immer, eine tolle Musikauswahl und Dokumentation.

[@idaprefontaine6878]

I hear him play at the age of 18 at Qualicum Beach, and bought one of his cd. Very great pianist.

[@cutidowny4118]

An artist's peers are not those of his own age but those of any age who share their own artistic realm, mindset and soul level. There are many qualitative worlds in this one world; the key to any particular world is one's soul quality. My words are for those who see and hear, as Christ said.

[@user-uh9mt8tn6w]

Отлично! Приятно слышать разумную фразировку, как у солиста, так и у оркестра. Успехов!

[@droogtchekhova32]

Շնորհակալություն: Vielen dank!

[@alsenwulf]

Donnerwetter ! Was für ein begnadeter Pianist ! Der hat noch viel vor sich - und wird im Laufe der Jahre ruhiger werden ... 😁 😌 😍

[@brittamardak7909]

Ein begnadeter junger Pianist. Habe ihn gerade in der Kölner Philharmonie mit Beethovens Klavierkonzert No 1 spielen gehört. Einfach phänomenal.

[@willemp6432]

I`m jealous.

[@jel1050]

I remember him in Verbier festival He played Chopin

[@carolruiz8279]

Been obsessed and still obsessed

[@user-yu6zt2bh3y]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rabbit719]

how touchingly honest:)

[@litoboy5]

great

[@annemarie4137]

👏👏👏👏🙏🎹DW

[@rhodemb]

❤️😊

[@k-dramagoodmorningseoul]

Hi! How are you? The rainy season in Korea/Seoul stopped for a while yesterday and today, and there was a heat wave all day. However, there is a weather forecast that the rainy season will start again tomorrow. I wish you good health and good things for the rest of the week. Thank you very much. **

[@peterectasy2957]

how he could produce so much sweat during that short time ?

[@jamesmckinlay6108]

Fabulous! I think apart from Lang Lang he's the most aggressive in his playing@

[@johnbanach3875]

He seems lucky that he didn't have to go the route of piano competitions.

[@mathildeottele1320]

GET BUSY 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫 SOS 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫 *Les commentaires sont restreints pour cette publication*

[@mathildeottele1320]

Sinon trop bon !!! 😋😋😋😋 Indigeste. Mais bon 🍖🍖🍖

[@sebastianchristopher9461]

He said it all that classical music is not for young audiences but for older audiences. So why would a young 27 year old guy want to cater to an old audience? All of his female fans will be old women. Yuck.

[@pianoplayer2516]

Him and I are about the same age and he definitely appeals to me. His talent gets me but I'm definitely attracted to his good looks and kind personality too. Haha.

[@cutidowny4118]

An artist's peers are not those of his own age but those of any age who share their own artistic realm, mindset and soul level. There are many qualitative worlds in this one world; the key to any particular world is one's soul quality. My words are for those who see and hear, as Christ said.