Press & News
March Artist Profile: Alessio Bax
Who influenced you most in life?
I really believe we are the sum of everything we experience in life, including every person we meet. Musically my biggest influence has been Spanish maestro Joaquin Achucarro, who I met when I was 10 years old and for whom I still play whenever I can. I also cherish quick but close encounters with some giants of the musical world like Daniel Barenboim, Thomas Quasthoff, Sir Simon Rattle, and the many other great musicians with whom I have been honored to work. I find myself revisiting those key moments as I approach my piano on a daily basis.
If not a musician, what occupation would you choose?
My two most serious hobbies are cooking and photography, which I get to do wherever I am in the world. If I had to, I could see myself swapping my hobbies with my current occupation, but I would have to keep music in my life. I can't imagine life without music.
When not playing the piano, what would someone most likely find you doing?
Cooking dinner for friends, watching TV, researching the latest electronic gadgets, writing my blog (alessiobax.blogspot.com), but most likely being on an airplane. I am very proud of my frequent flyer miles!
What book have you read most recently?
I am re-reading Dante's Divina Commedia at the moment. Without any doubt it is one of the most important literary works ever written. I studied it in school, back in Italy, but now it has a whole different meaning to me. The structural complexity, musical beauty of the words, its refinement, its historical connotations, and timeless values are unparalleled. And what an amazing story and wonderful characters!
Who are your favorite composers?
It varies depending on how deeply involved I am with a composer at a given time, but over the years the constants are Bach, Brahms, Bartók, Rachmaninov, and Mozart.
What is your favorite NYC destination?
You mean, other than CMS and Alice Tully Hall? Well, once again they are food related. Chelsea Market (especially the Lobster Place and Dickson's Farmstand Meats), Eataly, Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, Sushi of Gari, Ippudo, En Brasserie, but also MoMA and B&H Photo to take a break from all the food.
What are the 5 most listened to songs on your ipod?
My wife's [pianist Lucille Chung's] complete works for piano by Ligeti, Fritz Kreisler playing his own music, the Complete Rachmaninov recordings, Fischer-Dieskau's Winterreise, Ella Fitzgerald, and Art Tatum's solo albums.
