AFTER EXPERIENCING SONJA PARK PERFORM LIVE AT THE MEET AND GREET OF BROKEN WINGS, FACT’S ANUSHAY TAIMUR KHAN WAS IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO THE ARTIST…

Hi Sonja! You’re a musical child of the world who has reached extraordinary heights with your talent – which city were you most excited to play in?
It is a very difficult question since every city, every place I performed has a special meaning. I remember very fondly Sydney, London, NYC, Tokyo, Florence, Vienna and of course, when I performed for the public opening of the Katara Opera House in Doha. One memory that stands out would be of Karachi, Pakistan. I will never forget that performance because I performed blindfolded for the charity gala “Seeing is Believing” for Standard Chartered Bank’s 150-year anniversary. It was to raise funds for the avoidable blindness and it was so special and humbling.

We’ve experienced you play live and the way you become a part of the melody is absolutely breathtaking. How did you choose the piano as your instrument?
I did not choose the piano; the piano came to me! It was the most natural thing in the house since my mother was the director of a music school.

Describe your best performance to date. What made it special for you?
A long time ago, in Salzburg at the Mozarteum Grosser Saal, I was playing with a very famous piano professor. I really lost myself in the music – I was playing (Brahms Op.76) and I totally forgot about everything. I was free, I was the music itself and after it was done, for a short while I didn’t know where I was. It was a transcendental experience which was so unbelievable. The audience felt what I was feeling and it really then was pure magic. By the end of it everyone was in tears – such a surreal moment.

We’re sure it takes hours of practice for a seasoned player like you to create such magic. Has it been difficult getting to the point where you are today?
There is still so much to do, so much to learn, I don’t think I’ve done so much honestly. It’s been a struggle to juggle between my job and the family, and I have to say it hasn’t been easy especially since my son, Noah, was born four years ago. But all of it can enhance my music in a positive way!

Tell us about your favourite melody and why you love to play it…
Also, a very difficult question since there are many of them! I love Rachmaninoff, Scriabin (both Russian) and Bach, Brahms (both German), Chopin (polish, romantic), Debussy, Ravel (French impressionism). I could go on forever!

What are currently your main artistic challenges?
Well, Qatar is a very special place and my family and I call it home. But it is different than European countries that have been exposed to the classical music culture since a long time. It is a bit challenging to put a concert programme together where I am artistically satisfied as a musician and also, which is not too difficult for the audience to enjoy here. In Qatar, there hasn’t been a very long tradition of classical music and I have been trying to spread this music as much as I can. But it’s a challenge sometimes and I consider myself as an ambassador of music with the aim of making everyone enjoy music! I believe in this unbelievable power of music.

I felt an instant connection with you at your last performance and just watching you play was a mesmerising moment. Do you think this is the charm behind your success?
I am not sure, but whenever, wherever, for whomever I perform, I always try to fall into the arms of music. I try to identify myself with the music I play. When the audience can feel what I feel in that moment, that’s the moment when magic is created. It is beyond every description because words can’t describe the feeling. I am pretty good at it and I consider myself lucky. I love what I do, and there is so much to give, share and learn from performing and this exchange that happens on stage with the audience! ✤

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