A Broken Violin, a Lifelong Piano Love: Eva Gevorgyan

When did you first fall in love with the piano?

From childhood, I was surrounded by music. My mother is a viola player, and when I was born she was still studying at the conservatory, so I would listen to her practising. I always wanted to be like her.

When I was five years old, I asked her to buy me a small violin. It’s actually quite a funny story, because I broke it after three days. I was very interested in the strings and in playing the violin, and so I broke it. Then we decided that I would play the piano instead.

But I immediately fell in love with the piano and decided that it would be my profession for life.

What is the biggest challenge, in your view, in Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2?

The most challenging part is always playing with orchestra, and especially without a conductor on the podium. You need to breathe together with the musicians, so this sense of flow, of breathing together, is a challenging part.

And then there is also a certain Chopin flair — a Polish flair, especially in the dances, like the finale. I think you really need to feel this music.

What is your favourite time of day for practising?

I actually like to practise in the morning.

I like evening concerts, but practising is a slightly different feeling, and when I’ve just woken up, I feel at my strongest during the day.

I know many of my colleagues like to practise at night. In a way, it may be a bit more romantic to practise at night — maybe — but I like to sleep.

What is one work you think everyone should hear at least once?

I would say Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Fifth as well, and maybe a Prelude and Fugue by Bach.

And finally, coming back for a moment to your childhood: what would ten-year-old Eva think of you now?

I think she wouldn’t believe what I am doing right now, because I was always dreaming of travelling and meeting new people.

I hope she would be proud. I think so — yes, she could be.