I’m happy to share my next interview with classical concert pianist Nurry Lee. Nurry is a highly skilled concert pianist who plays at various venues around London and South Korea. She most recently performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York. Read on to learn more about Nurry, her outlook on music and life.
Please share your journey so far, in the world of classical music.
I remember, my older sister, who is two years older than me, started playing piano. She would practice with my mum and I would be in the room just playing, and then I would go up to the piano and start playing what my sister would play. I think I also grew up listening to piano music, my mum would play a bit, and my sister started playing when she was 5 and I was 3. There is something about a piano, that maybe draws in a child…like pressing these buttons and creating sounds. Saying that, I think, it also helped that I had absolutely wonderful teachers for the piano. My mum first taught me and then I went to my local teacher, Olena Shevetsova, who absolutely opened up my playing.
Do you compose your own music?
I don’t compose a lot of music myself, a lot of what I do is interpret and ‘bring to life’ works and compositions of others. Although I have composed some stuff before and I am open to composing my own material. But for now, there are so much amazing music and work out there, I am happy performing those.
Who are your biggest influences from the word of classical music?
I have many influences from the classical music world. Playing wise; I absolutely love Mikhail Pletnev. The way he has complete mastery of the instrument and can therefore speak so authentically with it is truly remarkable. I also admire Sokolov and Kun Woo Paik. Martha Argerich is also someone I admire greatly. Of course, my piano professors who have guided me intellectually, challenged me artistically and really supported me musically. Every lesson I’ve had, had always opened a different perspective to music.
Do you enjoy listening to any other music genres?
Absolutely. I would say that I have gotten a lot of influence in my personal growth, and also musical growth by listening and playing other genres of music. I feel that music was always deep within me, even when I was younger, and it wasn’t necessary split up in genre. During my time at the Royal College of music, I was fascinated by world music and folk songs from all different parts of the world. I believe that music in embedded in culture, and like food, language, location…music is also very much a part of that. I am a big hip hop and rap fan, I also enjoy artists like James Blake, Dave, Eminem, Sam Cooke, RAYE, Jorja Smith, Yasmine Hamdan…(and the list goes on!)
What’s the one piece of advice that you would give to someone who wants to be a classical pianist?
That’s a very interesting question. I would definitely say, that first, to really check if this is what you want. Because, I feel like a lot of musicians who chose piano see that being a concert pianist is the peak goal, but there is no one path with music and honestly, music is a creative form, and you can take it into any direction. I say that, because being a concert pianist has its joys but it is not always that glamorous. There is something quite unnatural about going out there in front of hundreds of people and exposing your soul. Nerves will always be there, expectation, self doubt etc. and this lack of stability with travelling around, the pressure of being able to memorise and deliver. Being on the road can also be a lonely journey. You have to be very intentional with choosing this, and know the reality of this journey.
However, that being said, I would still choose this any day. I would say, focus on your health and mental strength. Focus on you and your piano and music, which is the thing you can control and improve on, and have your security and stability based on that. Because everything around that is going to be unpredictable. I would say, be brave, courageous, and have a team of musicians and friends around you that are close to you. And enjoy every single moment. When you are on stage, forget everything and focus on the music and give to the audience, something real, genuine and give it your all every single time.
Congratulations on winning the competition to play at Carnegie Hall, New York. How was the experience?
Thank you so much! Honestly, this trip to New York and playing in Carnegie Hall was probably the most incredible one of my life. A trip of a lifetime. I picked my absolute favourite pieces in my repertoire, and for the preparation, I practiced enough to make sure I was in good shape and it was secure enough, so that on the stage, I could enjoy it more. Going into Carnegie Hall, I could feel the history of the place. All of my classical pianist idols had played there. I remember listening to Vladimir Horowitz’s Carnegie Hall concert on YouTube, and really living through it. A genuine privilege and dream come to try to play there.
How many hours do you practice before a big event?
Before such a big event, I make sure to do enough practice so that my fingers feel in shape and I know the pieces inside and out. After that, I don’t want to over practice them, so I would do a lot of practice on keeping my fingers active and also mental practice, so that I know the pieces from the beginning to the end. I would say, getting closer to the event, I would do around 2-4 hours of practice a day. But this would be dependent upon how well prepared I was for the concert (if it was new repertoire etc.) I would also practice playing the whole programme through and recording it, so that I could hear myself back.
Please share any details about your forthcoming projects.
For the future, I will be working together with my manager, Richard, and we have planned some concerts in the UK and abroad. I think I also plan to play more in South Korea too. I will do some concerts in London, which a lot of my London friends have been asking for!
Thanks so much Nurry, for sharing your musical journey and experience of playing at Carnegie Hall with me. I hope to see you perform live one day!
Jem Girl at the Piano 