VASANTH NAGAR:Last week, the Bangalore School of Music presented a piano recital by young talent Neville Bharucha at Alliance Française de Bangalore. Neville Bharucha is currently pursuing his post graduation at the City University, London. He completed his Masters in Music with Distinction from Southampton in 2014. “I’ve always wanted to make my passion, my career,” says Neville.
He is already a concert pianist and a composer and also produces music. Excerpts from an interview:
When and why did you gravitate towards music?
I was four years old when my father, who also plays, decided to teach me the piano. My childhood basically comprised of hours at the piano. From an early age, my dad recognised my talent and identified my ability to hit the ‘perfect pitch’ and helped me to perfect it.
Which famous musicians do you admire and why?
I am primarily classically trained and so I draw most of my inspiration from the great composers such as Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Olivier Messiaen, Franz Liszt and others.
They are the fathers of the current music and are the pioneers of most forms of Western music as we know it today.
What do you think is the hardest part of being a musician?
The hardest part? Well, it isn’t easy to break into the industry. It’s always about networking right and being on your toes, searching for the next open door.
The best part is definitely the fact that I am doing exactly what I love and that I couldn’t do anything else.
What constitutes a good live performance?
Energy, passion, commitment, confidence and always dress right. Playing the right notes is not the most important thing.
It’s the entire effect of the performance that counts. One must keep practising hard and not settle for less or sub standard fare.
If you don’t love what you’re doing, you’re not doing it right.
What’s your approach to performing on stage?
It’s not always easy to keep calm but experience has taught and will teach me a lot.
What are your current goals?
I’d like to do as much as I can to network and create opportunities. In the long term, I’d love to achieve something in the academic field.
How do you balance your music with other obligations?
My friend circle is full of musicians and others who completely understand where I come from. Therefore, it is quite easy to balance the two.
Also my family has always been supportive. They’re always looking out for opportunities for me.