Ukranian pianist Dinara Klinton to present a live musical performance with animated films playing in the background

When piano virtuoso Dinara Klinton was informed about the Cinema in Concert concept, the artiste from Ukraine was intrigued by the challenge of presenting live music with cinema. The pianist will narrate the story of animated films Magic Piano and The Chopin Shorts with her music. Here, she tells us more about her interest in the concept, the challenges she faced and her biggest moments on stage...

Can you tell us a bit about the collaboration with Cinema in Concert? What was it about the concept that appealed to you?

On my first year as a student of the Royal College of Music in London, I was asked by the Head of Keyboard department whether I’d be willing to jump in to participate in a interesting project with a couple of days notice. I had already played the complete Chopin Etudes on stage, so I didn’t have to learn any new music for that, but I had to watch the movie quite a few times and find the guiding points that would help me to synchronise my playing with the screen. I was attracted by the challenge, as it requires some extra co-ordination and multi-tasking skills to develop, but overall it’s a lot of fun!

How do you think a live piano performance will add to the charm of storytelling?

Well, I guess a good movie makes a viewer forget about the real world and to believe the action takes place here and now. I think, because it will be a live music performance, it adds a uniqueness of the moment to this experience.

You will be playing Chopin’s music. How much of an influence has Chopin been on your work?

The very first composer I fell in love with was Mozart. When I was seven, I got mesmerised by Chopin’s music, especially his posthumous Nocturne in C-sharp minor that always reduces me to tears since then.

As a pianist, what have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced or have overcome?

Being a professional musician requires as much work as being a professional sportsperson. Ideally, the lessons need to start in early childhood, with a daily practice routine of a few hours. What differs for musicians is that a lot of work has to be done on comprehending the core of the music, for which one needs to have developed a broad knowledge about the arts in general, style, history, lives of composers, etc. The above is necessary for a young musician to find their own way of interpretation, which would not clash with a composer’s idea. But the most important thing is, after all this routine, an artiste has to come on stage and create as if there was no knowledge or work behind. It has to seem natural and sincere.

Tell us about some of your biggest moments on stage. Was there anything that you can call a turning point in your career?

I guess, the first turning point happened when I was eight years old and went to perform on Vladimir Krainev piano competition to win the first prize. I still remain the youngest ever participant of that contest. A few years later, thanks to Vladimir Krainev, who was the president of the jury and most excellent pianist himself, I went to study in world-renowned Moscow Central Music School, which made a huge difference to my playing and subsequently to my career. Another big turning point was when I played on the Chopin competition in Warsaw in front of a panel of star pianists, packed hall of Warsaw Philharmonic and millions of people around the world who watched the broadcast.

Is this your first visit to India? Are you excited about performing in front of the Indian audience?

It is my first visit to India indeed, and I am really excited, as it is going to be a new experience for me, but I have a very positive feeling!

The performances will be held on July 16-17 at 7.30 pm at St Andrews Auditorium.