(versione italiana da qui…, version française par ici…)

This time, it is neither on the occasion of one of her concerts, nor on the occasion of her diploma that Ilaria CAVALLERI was willing to talk with me, it is simply to share with us her Christmas holidays, what this particular time of year means for her.

– Ilaria hello. How are you ? First let me wish you a happy new year 2024 !

Hi Dominique, I’m fine thank you! Happy New year to you too !

– Besides, not to mention the traditional greetings of health or peace in the world (blah, blah, blah) what should I wish you ? What would be the most important to you for the next 366 days ?

Greetings of health and Peace are certainly not to be underestimated, anyway the most important thing for me in this 2024 is to focus and give my best in music. Last year I thought more about personal aspects so this year I want to study to grow and reach my full potential on the piano and dedicate myself to developing my artistic career.

– Let’s stay on this holiday season. Can you tell us what Christmas means to you ? Is it a religious period ? A pagan time ? A strictly commercial period ? Nothing at all ?

I love Christmas. I am Catholic, so it is a period that I live intensely and with great joy. Of course, you have to be good and charitable all year round but, as they say, « everyone is better at Christmas« 

– Can you tell us about Christmas at your home and in your family ? For gifts, are you « team 24th » or « team 25th » ?

Hahaha we are team 25th ! This year I had a hard time resisting until Christmas morning – I proposed to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve but, alas, traditions are not broken !

– Was Santa generous to you ?

Yes, it’s always great, I really can’t complain.

– Following Christmas is the new year. For you, is December 31th rather an opportunity to take stock of the year that is ending or on the contrary to turn entirely to the new one that will begin ?

Both ! I look back and analyze what worked, what was good and what needs to be improved. I check the various areas of my life and choose where to continue and where to turn the page. Once chosen, I totally project myself into the future ready to live the new year to the fullest.

– Have you made good resolutions as we often do at the beginning of the year ?

Absolutely, over the years I’m also getting good at achieving them😁. But more than « good resolutions » I like to set « new goals » and create new habits to improve myself and feel better.

– Speaking about piano, is this a holiday period or do you continue to work as in high season ?

On festive days I put the piano in the background to be with my family. While the rest of the days, being at home, I can make the most of my time to study quietly and immediately put the musical « good resolutions » to good use.

– Skilled transition back to “work”. The last time we spoke, it was on the occasion of your piano diploma at the Milan’s Conservatory. 5 days later you played in Ferrara. Did you play differently this first post-diploma concert ?

The concert in Ferrara went very well ! Probably on a practical level there were not many differences, but having obtained my degree in Milan made me play with a lot of tranquility and with greater awareness

– You are only 22 and it is often said that the best years are the years of study. This diploma marked the « real beginning of your musical life ». So that’s it, finished the time of carelessness, here you are in the world of adults and professional responsibilities ?

Yes, I think it’s time (sigh !). But to keep alive the student side, eager to learn, I am attending the chamber music specialization at the Conservatory of Cremona with Maestro Silvia Chiesa and the piano course at the Strata Academy in Pisa with Maestro Maurizio Baglini

– How does 2024 looks like ?

I’m very confident in 2024, I feel like it’s going to be a positive year. I already have several concerts scheduled here in Italy, first of all two concerts at Museo Civico in Cremona on January 13th and 27th.

– You dreams of New York I know but will you find a little recital to do for us in France ?

More than gladly, whenever you want !

– I have a small personal service to ask you (but it may be useful to others) : as I am not a great connoisseur of Chopin, can you tell me what could make me love Chopin and which piece of him you would advise me to start with ?

Given that I find all of Chopin‘s works enchanting, to begin with, I recommend his Nocturnes and Preludes because although they are short pieces, they contain all his soul. I also really appreciate the 4 Ballads, the Andante Spianato and Grande Polacca Brillante op.22 and the Variations Brillantes op.12. Then, of course, you can’t miss listening to the two concertos for piano and orchestra and his famous second sonata… Needless to mention his 4 Scherzos – you know those very well after my recital in Lunel-Viel !

– You are now used to it : I leave you the last word, Ilaria…

And as usual, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this « Christmas edition » interview: it is always a pleasure to inform you about my developments. I will certainly update you on the upcoming concerts, in the hope of seeing you soon in France !

What can I say to you except once again a big « thank you » Ilaria ! Sweet, happy and successfull year to you and – we cross our fingers – rendezvous one of these days somewhere…