Khatia Buniatishvili in an interview

"I experienced my childhood as something magical."

The talent of Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili was recognized early on by her mother, an enthusiastic music lover. She made her debut as a soloist with an orchestra at the age of six. Four years later, she was invited to perform in Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Russia, Israel, and the USA. Khatia Buniatishvili is regularly praised for her musical expressiveness and maturity, her astounding virtuosity and technique, as well as her vibrant stage presence.

Classicpoint.ch: You made your orchestral debut as a soloist at the age of six. How do you remember that time?
I have very fond memories of that period. It was a very important time for me. I practiced and read a lot and had little contact with the outside world. Even though many people think it was difficult for me as a child, I experienced that time as something very special, magical. I can still remember the smell of the books and sheet music I read back then.

Oleg Maisenberg convinced you to move to Vienna to study with him. How did you experience this step?
It was a very emotional time. For me, it was the beginning of a new, independent life as a person and as an artist. The new impressions, experiences, and encounters shaped me personally and my playing. I found it very enriching.
 
You have a striking physical presence on stage. What do you feel physically during a concert?
I always try to be authentic on stage. When playing the piano, you only have contact with the instrument through your fingertips. So all the body's energy is channeled into the fingertips to transfer the emotions into the sound. I feel both free and part of a whole.

Is it important for you to bring and play your own instrument, or are you open to using the instruments provided?
I actually find it exciting to keep getting to know new instruments. Every instrument has a soul for me. I try to build a connection and a relationship with it. It's important to me that I don't have any preconceived, negative thoughts, because otherwise this relationship will be disrupted.

With your Chopin CD, you included your own text, photos, and a self-written film starring you. Why didn't you want the music to speak for itself?
When I play music, whether on stage or in the studio, the music speaks for itself; it unites emotions and tells stories. I like human imagination, and music inspires me. I also love literature. I read all of Chekhov's stories when I was eight. At ten, I devoured Dostoevsky's "The Gambler" and "The Idiot" with great pleasure. Literature and music are the passions of my life, and I've always wanted to bring them together. When I have an idea, I absolutely have to realize it, otherwise it won't leave me alone. A CD is like an album, filled with emotions. Every image and word should lead to the sound, and vice versa.
 
You dedicated your Motherland CD to your mother. The booklet shows many pictures of the two of you together. What is your relationship with your mother like?
We have a very close relationship. I feel her presence very strongly. She is sensitive and full of love. That's why I dedicated the CD to her.

Do you ever feel lonely as a musician?
Yes, but I've been used to being alone since childhood. Sometimes, a feeling of freedom comes from solitude. Being alone can also have its positive aspects if you use them wisely. Everyone experiences solitude; it's part of life. And the piano is a symbol of musical solitude.

How does your Georgian heritage influence your piano playing?
My Georgian heritage is very important to me. I cherish it and try my best to preserve it. It's my temperament and my "dreamer" nature. I also like to share with others — materially or immaterially. All of this is impractical in life and in playing the piano, but valuable to me.

You've even given a concert in the woods, placing your grand piano right there in the middle of the forest. Does nature hold a special musical significance for you?
I wanted to experiment with sound and shed all artificiality to achieve the most authentic sound possible, without any acoustic optimization. It worked incredibly well. I love nature and its energy.

You're playing at the
Verbier Festival . Will you have time for nature then? I hope so. I have three concerts in six days: a solo recital, a chamber music evening, and a solo concerto with orchestra. But I'm sure I'll find time for a walk in the mountains, a picnic, and a fondue.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.ch | July 1, 2015 |
Photo: Julia Wesley