Italian pianist thrills China with lots of improvisation

[Photo provided to China Daily]

"He taught me things that are not in the texts. To have his imprint on my scores is extremely valuable and important. It is also important to know that his personality enabled me to better understand his music."

The experience also left a legacy. Her debut album in 2015, Revolution/Evolution, was a juxtaposition of Stockhausen and Stravinsky, which was followed by her second album in 2016, Light, another interpretation of Stockhausen's music.

Stockhausen was once quoted as saying that "Vanessa Benelli Mosell has the power to let people appreciate my music".

For the pianist, it's a challenge to play Stockhausen's pieces as his works are sometimes difficult to follow, she says.

"His music is very technical, with lots of jump. For example, from the bass to the high notes," says Mosell.

"For me, music from the '50s is very special. To better understand contemporary music, we have to go back."

Mosell not only studied the composer's piano pieces but also his other works, such as electronic works for other instruments.

She was also inspired by the composer's avant-garde vision for stage performances.

When the six parts of Stockhausen's five-hour epic, Mittwoch aus Licht (Wednesday from Light), was performed for the first time by Birmingham Opera Company in London four years ago, the composer's vision was brought to life with four helicopters carrying string quartet performers, two choirs, octophonic sound and musicians.

"His vision was dramatic and grand. And he was very picky and demanding with performers," says Mosell.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Stockhausen's death in 2017, Mosell will participate in events celebrating the composer in Amsterdam and Milan.

Another mentor for her is Russian violinist and conductor Yuri Bashmet, who inspired her with great Russian musical traditions.

Bashmet invited Mosell to study at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2007. Now, he regularly invites her to perform with his musicians in Moscow.

Early next year, she will release her debut concerto album of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.