10 Questions With: Frank Dupree

Pianist Frank Dupree answers The Classic Review’s 10 questions.
Where will he most likely find inspiration? How many hours does he practice each day? And what is the one classical music album he couldn’t live without?

What new repertoire are you currently working on?

I am currently working on Kapustin’s Piano Concerto No.3. After the release of my new album at the beginning of November, which included Kapustin’s Piano Concertos No. 2 & 6 and Toccata Op. 8, I am now back in the recording studio with the SWR Symphonieorchester and the SWR Big Band to prepare the next CD. We are working on the complete set of Kapustin’s Concertos for piano, I think his music is so exciting, groovy and genius and I think that it really deserves to be heard and above all to be played on stage more often.

What’s a piece of music you don’t currently play but wish you could?

I am a big fan of John Adams. As of a few years ago, I have had his work “Phrygian Gates” for solo piano in my repertoire and I have included it in my recitals. There are three more works for piano and orchestra which I would really love to perform very soon. It has also come to my attention that he is currently writing a new concerto…

Are there any classical composers whose music you don’t quite connect with?

It is very hard to say, but If I have to mention one composer, it would be Chopin. I know many people love his piano works and would hate me for this answer. Of course I have played the Etudes, as well as his Scherzo’s and Ballads for competitions, but somehow his way of composing doesn’t fit my hands. There are many other pianists out there who play Chopin so beautifully.

What was the latest contemporary music piece that impressed you?

The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra released an album with orchestral works by Outi Tarkiainen, Miho Hazama and Daníel Bjarnason. Three individual voices of our time whom I admire. I highly recommend listening to it, especially with headphones, so you can hear all the details of the colorful soundscapes.
🎧 See this album on Apple Music.
🎧 See this album on Amazon

How much time do you dedicate to practicing each day? What are your best tips for developing effective practice habits?

As much as I can and as much as time allows. The most important thing for me is to practice with 100% concentration. I am always trying to consider a phrase, a piece, or a concerto from different perspectives, first as an instrumentalist but also as a singer, a conductor, or even as the composers themselves. Reading between the lines and asking what the composer is trying to express can lead to a convincing interpretation.

Frank Dupree (image: ©️ Marco Borggreve)

How do you find inspiration when performing?

I get my inspiration from playing with other musicians. I love to perform chamber music, to pass the ball to each other and share ideas about music. The balance between leading with your own part and taking a step back to the role of an accompanist is a big joy for me. Although we mostly play written music, I love to be in the moment and decide spontaneously how I want to play that passage. In that case, the audience also becomes a part of the performance.

“To have a long-sustained career, you should always be interested in the content itself: the music.”

Do you experience performance anxiety? If so, how do you manage it?

Preparation is key. If I have the feeling that I didn’t have enough time to prepare for performing on stage then I can feel a bit nervous, which shouldn’t happen. It’s a question of trust – trust in yourself, in your partners and just do it and enjoy what you do – music! There are many solutions to make you feel more comfortable. Find out what the problem is and solve it. For me, playing together with friends, great orchestras and conductors is so much fun, therefore I forget everything around me.

If music wasn’t your passion, what other career path might you have chosen?

I am a creative individual. As a child, I enjoyed drawing or building things. Using my hands to create something is very soothing. How about joiner? Or better still, a piano maker? Nevertheless, I am very happy to be a musician and to work in this beautiful field!

What advice do you have for young musicians starting their careers?

Discover yourself and remain loyal to yourself. We all have our own story about how we started making music. In a choir, in a band, with folklore music, whatever it is. Go on your own path, that is what makes you unique and you don’t have to play a role to impress someone. To have a long-sustained career, you should always be interested in the content itself: the music.

What classical music album you couldn’t live without?

It was my very first CD, which I got as a ten-year-old from a little competition as a gift: The Jazz Album – Shostakovich’s Jazz Suites with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Chailly. What a beautiful recording! I listened to it so much and could keep listening to it over and over again. A less classical but more jazzy recording which I really love, and which is often played on my gramophone at home during breakfast is Oscar Peterson’s Motions and Emotions. It will melt your heart!
🎧 See this album on Apple Music.
🎧 See this album on Amazon

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Frank Dupree’s new album, Kapustin: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 6, appeared on the Capriccio label. The album features SWR Symphonieorchester, SWR Big Band, and conductor Dominik Beykirch, alongside members of Frank Dupree’s Trio: Jakob Krupp (bass) and Meinhard ‘Obi’ Jenne (drums).

This release marks the third album in an ongoing series exploring the six piano concertos and other concertante works for piano and orchestra of Ukrainian composer Nikolai Kapustin. In addition to the second and sixth piano concertos, the program includes a world premiere recording of Kapustin’s Toccata for piano and big band, Op. 8.

Visit Frank Dupree’s website, and his feeds on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.