Juilliard was stale. And the piano keys were always greasy
Daily Comfort ZoneThe American pianist Jeremy Denk was, for many years, just that – an American pianist.
Then he won a MacCarthur ‘genius’ grant and wrote a New York Times bestseller.
In the latest episode of ‘Speaking Soundly’ David Krauss, principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera, wants to know how he did that.
‘The piano was my therapy,’ says Denk, describing a peripatetic childhood with an alcoholic parent. His first piano was rescued from a burlesque house. ‘I’m somewhat approved now,’ he says.
He calls Juilliard ‘stale’. So true. ‘And the keys on the pianos are always greasy.’
Fascinating conversation. Listen here.
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