‘Swimming with sharks’, pianist overcomes Parkinson’s

We are delighted to hear that the South African soloist Nina Schumann is playing again, after bouts of breast cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.

She says:

‘Given that I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago, and also following a bout with breast cancer, I am just happy to be able to play. Dealing with the diagnoses was not easy: in many respects it is so much more personal than the breast cancer, because Parkinson’s causes stiffness in movement and that has real impact on my performing career. But I think, with the help of medication of course, I have now found a space where I can choose repertoire wisely and still enjoy performing. This year seems to turn out to be a return to solo life! Over the last few years I mainly performed two piano concerts with Luis Magalhaes in the TwoPianists duo, but the stars have lined up to make me take the challenge of solo performances. I feel like I’m swimming with the sharks but it is also extremely exciting to rediscover myself and my own playing.’