Interview with Leanne Jin – Emerging Artists Finalist 2018

What does winning this year’s Emerging Artists Series mean to you?

Winning this year’s Emerging Artists Series has truly been an honour and privilege. The Emerging Artists Series has always been something I had wanted to participate in, and being given the opportunity this year and winning is an incredibly special feeling.

How did you start playing the piano?

I started playing the piano at around the age of 4, as my sister had begun having piano lessons at around this time. My parents decided that I ought to learn piano as well – they were determined to find a way to get me to sit still for a few minutes!

Who has been your biggest inspiration from your personal life?

My family and friends have been massive sources of inspiration and support over all these years. In particular, my father’s proclivity to hard work and dedication to whichever task he undertakes makes him an incredibly inspirational figure in my view.

What pieces did you choose to play in your performance, and why?

For the Emerging Artists Concert Series, I played Haydn’s Sonata in E flat Major hob.49 and Scriabin’s Sonata no.2 in G sharp minor. I chose to play Haydn’s Sonata hob.49 as although it features his later, more mature style, it still captures that wittiness and elegance that Haydn has always been renowned for. As for Scriabin’s Sonata no.2, it is simply one of my favourite works and something I absolutely love playing – especially the gorgeous E Major middle section in the first movement. I find this piece to be incredibly challenging in a manner that isn’t just technical but due also to the amount of personal interpretation and expression required.  I just love coming back to this piece and approaching everything in a different manner each time.

In the Finals Concert, I played Liszt’s Paganini Etude S.140 no.2.  Liszt’s Paganini Etudes have always been something I have wanted to play – especially the 2^nd etude. I love how this etude manages to balance all of these seemingly contradictory features of humour, virtuosity and drama, whilst all the time retaining an innate elegance.

Who would you consider you musical role models?

Definitely my piano teacher Natalia Ricci – I’ve always admired the level of attention and depth she puts towards every single work she approaches. This, as well as the level and diversity of musical knowledge she has, on top of all her wonderful support over the years, make her my role model. In short, she embodies the musician I wish to one day become.

I also admire Martha Argerich, Emil Giles, Vladimir Sofronitsky, Haochen Zhang, Ivo Pogorelich, Yuja Wang and Daniil Trifonov, just to name a few!

What music are you working on at the moment?

Currently I am working on Manuel de Falla – Cuatro Piezas Espagnoles, Ludwig van Beethoven – Sonata in B flat Major op.22 no.11, Robert Schumann – Kreisleriana and currently in the process of deciding on a sonata by Sergei Prokofiev!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself having completed my Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours and undertaking my Masters of Music Performance in Sydney or abroad!