Arranged marriages that lead to love at first sight

Venezuelan-Argentinian pianist Sergio Tiempo describes himself as a romantic at heart. Photo / Supplied

Venezuelan-Argentinian pianist Sergio Tiempo describes himself as a romantic at heart.

When Sergio Tiempo plays Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto with Auckland Philharmonia next Thursday, he may think back to his first performance of the work, in Kiev at the age of 19.

It was a triumph, but then the Venezuelan-Argentinian pianist had already made his international debut five years earlier, in Amsterdam Concertgebouw's Great Pianists series.

"Fortunately at that age, I didn't realise the importance of it," says Tiempo. "I'd been playing in public since the age of 3, but this was my first serious engagement and a special moment."

Tiempo has the same easy charm and talent for paradoxical banter seen on a 2007 French television interview, sourced from YouTube. He still regrets that we cannot hear how Liszt and Beethoven played; legendary pianists such as Hoffmann, Horovitz and Cortot are major inspirations. "But then for me the real teachers have always been those who aren't trying to teach you anything," he laughs.

"These men come from a time when playing music wasn't so much about the exact notes but rather the psychological impact of the piece.

"This gave them a wonderful freedom, unlike later interpreters who have become much more stuck in a self-imposed straitjacket."

One exception is Martha Argerich, a personal friend of Tiempo's family, and a musical mentor and confidante by the time he was 6.

"I love her spontaneity," he explains.

"If you listen to her after hearing other pianists, it's like moving from an ordinary television to a three-dimensional TV. She may be incredibly cerebral but she leaves herself an enormous margin for spontaneity which makes her music so alive."

Growing up in Venezuela as part of an Argentinian family, then living in London, France and Belgium, Tiempo is "sometimes embarrassed when people ask where I'm from".

"Sometimes I feel I'm from nowhere, but maybe that's lucky in itself because for me that's where music comes from."

This man who likes to divide his repertoire into "love at first sight" and "arranged marriages which end up as love" puts Thursday's Tchaikovsky in the second category.

"This was a concerto I loved listening to but, when I started working on it, I didn't really enjoy the physical pleasure you can get from playing. But slowly, while I was experimenting and just having fun, I fell completely in love with it."

He reflects on the impossibility of translating music into words.

"I always have trouble when I'm teaching in masterclasses," he confesses.

"I find it difficult to explain something about music without actually sitting down and playing."

Tiempo admits he is a romantic at heart and that Friday's Museum recital "makes special links between Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt, in his bicentenary year.

Liszt's Petrarch Sonnets are the music of love, and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, which Liszt played, was written for a student Beethoven was in love with. Then some of the Chopin Etudes after interval were dedicated to Liszt."

Friday's Three Argentinian Dances by Alberto Ginastera are more personal. "The third was dedicated to my grandfather. He taught it to me when I was 10 years old."

Tiempo is surprised to hear he has a Steinway piano with the APO and a Fazioli in recital.

"As a Steinway artist, I've always felt I can do more of what I'm imagining with a Steinway. However, I was very impressed with a magnificent instrument I played in the Fazioli Concert Hall in Italy.

"We pianists may have to adapt to different instruments all the time but each brings something different out of you. At times it can be inspiring and that's why no two concerts can ever be the same."

Performance

What: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Where and when: Auckland Town Hall, Thursday at 8pm

What: Sergio Tiempo in recital

Where and when: Auckland Museum, Friday at 8pm