Francesco Tristano is a versatile musician. He is a pianist, composer and producer between the concert hall and techno clubs. The Luxembourg native, who also has Italian roots, has been familiar with music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque since childhood. He heard a lot of Richard Wagner from his mother – hence his middle name Tristano – but even more early music.
The acclaimed pianist and composer returns to his first love – early music with his upcoming studio album titled likewise. Presenting renaissance and early-baroque works with his own baroque-inspired piano pieces, the record features music by Girolamo Frescobaldi, Orlando
Gibbons, John Bull, and Peter Philips.
FACTS
1. I eat pasta every day.
2. I run every other day.
3. The area of Luxembourg is ten (10) times larger than Liechtenstein.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Inspiration is overrated – a healthy routine and lifestyle allows for
work in all forms.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
There was a piano at my mother’s place. It was a matter of time until I
started touching it, playing it, and experimenting with sound.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Glenn Gould – Goldberg variations (1981 version)
Plaid – Spokes
Bach: Complete Lute works (Konrad Junghaehnel, lute)
Xenakis: Complete works for piano (Marc Ponthus, piano)
Weather Report: Heavy Weather
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
History.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Bambesch, our local forest.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Read.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
The black dog: Music for photographers
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Hariprasad Chaurasia.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
The Zawinul Syndicate, Teatre Grec, BCN summer of 2007.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
It goes hand in hand.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
They are very supportive and caring.
