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The Sound of Childhood: Elim Chan, Augustin Hadelich, Evgeny Kissin

Many classical music stars started out at an early age. Evgeny Kissin was already playing the piano by ear at the tender age of two, while Augustin Hadelich took violin lessons aged five. At the Isarphilharmonie, Hadelich performs together with conductor Elim Chan, whose first steps towards a career in music were inspired by Walt Disney. We asked all three of them about the sounds of their childhoods.

Chan as a child in a swimming costume and straw hat.
Sparkling joie de vivre from a young age: Elim Chan Copyright: Privat

Elim Chan, what was the little Elim like?

I’m lucky in that my childhood was truly wonderful. My parents encouraged me in all my ideas – for example, when I dressed up as a princess and set off on adventures to fairytale lands. I had an overflowing imagination and loved making up stories and watching cartoons. My father was an art teacher, so my parents supported me in discovering art in all its diversity. I sang in a children’s choir, took piano lessons and was completely happy inside my magical fantasy world.

Were there any special moments involving music in your childhood?

I particularly loved ballet music and was also allowed to attend concerts. Works such as Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” for example, were perfect for a little girl who loved stories so much.

What has stayed with you from those days?

All this magic was a door into another world and I was able to feel completely free. It was kind of like a magic key. Even today, when I stand on the podium, I often return to it, to a time where there were no boundaries. Nobody ever said that something wouldn’t work; nothing could stop me!

Hadelich plays the violin among the trees.
The first piece Augustin Hadelich performed in public, aged seven, was the Prelude from Bach’s Partita in E major. Copyright: Suxiao Yang
Portrait of conductor Elim Chan with closed eyes and baton in hand
The magical sounds produced by the cartoon character in the Disney classic Fantasia to the music of Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice fascinated and inspired Elim Chan as a child. Copyright: Simon Pauly

Augustin Hadelich, what sounds take you back to your childhood?

There are certain pieces of music that I associate with strong emotions. These include songs by Franz Schubert, for example, which I used to listen to as a young child when my parents sang them.

Has your career as a successful musician changed your personal approach to music?

Not really. But when I listen to music for fun, it’s usually orchestral works, songs, chamber music rather than violin pieces.

What advice would you give the young Augustin Hadelich?

To have a little more patience with myself – and with the world!

Elim Chan (conductor) & Augustin Hadelich (violin) with the Munich Philharmonic: Koide / Tchaikovsky / Elgar

Portrait of the pianist Evgeny Kissin. He sits with folded hands behind a grand piano and looks pensively into the distance.
Evgeny Kissin’s first public performance was Haydn’s Variations in C major. Copyright: Felix Broede

Born in Moscow in 1971, Evgeny Kissin became an international sensation at the age of just eleven when he performed Chopin’s piano concertos. Today, Kissin stands for the highest pianistic perfection, performances of exceptional depth and an uncompromising artistic attitude.

Is there anything from your childhood that you have consciously held on to?

Not consciously. I remember a lot of stuff from my childhood, but all of it stayed in my memory unconsciously. I keep it in my soul.

With all your experience, what advice would you give the young Evgeny Kissin today?

Better none at all! Because when I was young, I unfortunately didn’t listen to advice. Any advice to the young Evgeny would have been futile.

Evgeny Kissin: Recital

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