What I did was scandalous

I couldn´t sleep for days, worrying about what others thought.

There had always been a conflict between my own rock-solid convictions, and what I thought others thought of me.

Now I see it as absurd, but at the time, it was a real problem. And not without reason. Let me explain…

I finished my piano degree in Finland in 2005, officially becoming a concert pianist, having studied with top-notch teachers and obtaining the highest honors in the whole of my studies plus countless praise from the jury members in my final examinations.

But, I had made up my mind….

…I would give up playing piano.

That´s right, just when I had graduated as a pianist and in the eye of many I was to become a world-class concert pianist, I decided to quit.

I was sick and tired of playing piano.

I wanted to play Bandoneon.

I had already been studying bandoneon for a couple of years and now I wanted to perfect it, so I stuck to my decision and stopped playing piano for a full 2 years. Circumstances later on would lead me to reconsider and eventually come back to the piano again, but I´ll talk about that perhaps some other time.

When people heard about this madness of mine, they went nuts. My teachers were disappointed in me. They had probably wasted their time and hopes in me.

But the toughest one to face was my father. Boy was he disappointed…

More than anybody, he wanted me to become a concert pianist, something that had also been a wish for himself (he did become an outstanding concert pianist by the way).

Time would prove that I made the right decision. Not only because of the success I´ve had playing my music with two instruments all around the world. But also because I did what my heart dictated, and not what others expected from me (and yes, my father eventually gave in to the whole bandoneon idea).

I´m sure I´m living more fulfilled than I would ever be if I hadn´t done what I did.

In the confusion of artists and people around the world who, influenced by superficial standards or current fashions, create “content” without any particular reason but to “gain following” and obtain more visibility and “likes” for the sake of it, I vigorously fight against short-term results that in the end benefit very little to the world (if anything).

I do that, among other things, by inspiring artists and people to work hard for their convictions. Even fight for them if necessary, like I did.

If they´re coming from a place of good or of willingness to bring good upon others, only then are we really fulfilling our duty as artists: making life worth living.

There are many advantages to joining my membership program; new music, teachings, physical albums, inspiration…

But most importantly, you won´t be supporting me or any person, but a cause. I´m not launching this membership because I need any support, I already make my living out of playing concerts.

The point of all of this is to expand the movement of freedom of choice, of acknowledging life as something beautiful and worth being lived, of bringing beauty in an era of showmanship and plastic minimalism.

This is a natural path for me to not only attempt to gain full control of my art but also to bring forward a new model for artists to thrive and stop punishing themselves with stupid and limiting thoughts. It´s tough enough to be an artist, but it doesn´t have to be that tough.

Anyway, enough for today. The membership opens this Saturday. More info soon.

Hoping you have a great day, I´m sharing this beautiful piece of music hoping it inspires you: Adagio, by Bach/Marcello.

Claudio.