The Life of a Solo Piano Artist - Interview with James Lazzeroni
In 2023, in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of album The Best of Solo Piano (Available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music), James has released an interview.
This album contains James' solo piano original compositions, and includes the covers of Christmas music such as Jingle Bells, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Auld Lang Syne and many others!
Listen to Spotify the New Playlist
THE LIFE OF A SOLO PIANO ARTIST
Interview with James Lazzeroni
James, how did the form and structure of original solo piano compositions influence the harmonies and structure of your arrangements?
To be honest, for me, it's all about the melody.
To be honest, for me, it's all about the melody.
The melodies are incredibly memorable and instantly recognizable. And when arranging a piano composition, the melody has to be the main thing. You can deviate a little, and you can take some creative liberties, but the substance of the arrangement... it really needs to hang on that melody.
Why do you write for solo piano?
Ultimately, it's because as a solo pianist, I have complete control over the output. I don't have to rely on anyone else to do their part. When I was young and in college, I played in a few pop bands. Nothing came of those years (aside from some great friendships!) but I did discover one of the problems of working with others to create music... there are lots of clashes of opinion and personality. Those clashes can result in some amazing music, but it's also very volatile. Musicians, you see, are generally very sensitive people. We're emotionally tied up in what we create musically. So during my "band years" I struggled with all those things. I didn't want to feel that my musical success was dependent on other people. So... that was when I first started composing for solo piano. I found the process much more peaceful. Less angst. And the only person I had to worry about playing a part perfectly was myself. And as a bonus... it's much easier (and less expensive) to record a quality solo piano album than it is to record an album featuring multiple personalities and instruments.
In regards to your albums, how do you decide the grouping of your songs?
Generally speaking, I am telling a story with the music... not only with the songs, but with the album as a whole. So the scope of the story I am telling over the course of the album will determine, to some degree, the order the songs appear in. Key signatures and the general feel of the songs affect the song order as well. All of those elements play a big part.
Where is your preferred location to write your music? Take a photograph? Or do you just imagine the location you are writing about?
It's all in my head and in my heart.
I compose the music on my piano Kawai in my living room. However, I also arrange the songs in my head when I'm out and about and especially just before I go to sleep. I hear the tunes in my head and I work on them, and then I'll take new ideas to the piano the next day when I'm at a place where I can sit down at the piano.
Why do you write for solo piano?
Ultimately, it's because as a solo pianist, I have complete control over the output. I don't have to rely on anyone else to do their part. When I was young and in college, I played in a few pop bands. Nothing came of those years (aside from some great friendships!) but I did discover one of the problems of working with others to create music... there are lots of clashes of opinion and personality. Those clashes can result in some amazing music, but it's also very volatile. Musicians, you see, are generally very sensitive people. We're emotionally tied up in what we create musically. So during my "band years" I struggled with all those things. I didn't want to feel that my musical success was dependent on other people. So... that was when I first started composing for solo piano. I found the process much more peaceful. Less angst. And the only person I had to worry about playing a part perfectly was myself. And as a bonus... it's much easier (and less expensive) to record a quality solo piano album than it is to record an album featuring multiple personalities and instruments.
In regards to your albums, how do you decide the grouping of your songs?
Generally speaking, I am telling a story with the music... not only with the songs, but with the album as a whole. So the scope of the story I am telling over the course of the album will determine, to some degree, the order the songs appear in. Key signatures and the general feel of the songs affect the song order as well. All of those elements play a big part.
Where is your preferred location to write your music? Take a photograph? Or do you just imagine the location you are writing about?
It's all in my head and in my heart.
I compose the music on my piano Kawai in my living room. However, I also arrange the songs in my head when I'm out and about and especially just before I go to sleep. I hear the tunes in my head and I work on them, and then I'll take new ideas to the piano the next day when I'm at a place where I can sit down at the piano.
Interview by Mike Graph - Sunrise Magazine
