World-acclaimed pianist John Kamfonas's love for music brought him to India recently. He was in the City to share his music as well as get a sense of Indian classical music first hand. This was his first performance in Bangalore and John was flabbergasted by his audience.
"I've felt such a beautiful warmth and generosity from everyone I've met and it's made me feel so welcome in a place far from home," he says.
John may be very involved with his music but he makes it a point to stay fit too. He says, "I try and do any kind of regular exercise, whether running or swimming, it's great for mental health as well as physical." He's also quite keen on tennis.
John's first lessons on the piano took place when he was five years old. "My teacher asked me to play all the white keys and then all the black keys. From those first lessons themselves, I felt a profound sense of discovery at being introduced to the piano," he recalls, adding, "to this day, my discoveries continue."
Whether he plays an old piece, learns a new one or simply improvises, the piano's 88 keys offer an endless universe of sonorous possibilities that continually astonish him.
John enjoys playing classical music and admits to have grown up listening and playing music from the classical repertoire. He has a true passion for Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Liszt and many more. He says, "Keith Jarrett's Koln concert captivated me.
The energy and spontaneity of his music was so inspiring that I went to the piano myself and from that day on, began my own journey of improvisation at the piano. The journey to this day is ongoing."
Although he admits to being partial to Greek cuisine, John has been absolutely delighted with Indian dishes. "The Indian diet contains much less meat than most of the European cuisines. I've been asked many times if I miss meat and my answer has always been no!" he exclaims, adding, "my favourite dish so far has been the idli, it's amazing!"
Besides music, traveling brings him huge joy. "Travelling is a part of a musician's life. So, it's always a pleasure when I have the opportunity to see a new place, meet the people, and experience a new culture," he concludes.
"I've felt such a beautiful warmth and generosity from everyone I've met and it's made me feel so welcome in a place far from home," he says.
John may be very involved with his music but he makes it a point to stay fit too. He says, "I try and do any kind of regular exercise, whether running or swimming, it's great for mental health as well as physical." He's also quite keen on tennis.
John's first lessons on the piano took place when he was five years old. "My teacher asked me to play all the white keys and then all the black keys. From those first lessons themselves, I felt a profound sense of discovery at being introduced to the piano," he recalls, adding, "to this day, my discoveries continue."
Whether he plays an old piece, learns a new one or simply improvises, the piano's 88 keys offer an endless universe of sonorous possibilities that continually astonish him.
John enjoys playing classical music and admits to have grown up listening and playing music from the classical repertoire. He has a true passion for Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Liszt and many more. He says, "Keith Jarrett's Koln concert captivated me.
The energy and spontaneity of his music was so inspiring that I went to the piano myself and from that day on, began my own journey of improvisation at the piano. The journey to this day is ongoing."
Although he admits to being partial to Greek cuisine, John has been absolutely delighted with Indian dishes. "The Indian diet contains much less meat than most of the European cuisines. I've been asked many times if I miss meat and my answer has always been no!" he exclaims, adding, "my favourite dish so far has been the idli, it's amazing!"
Besides music, traveling brings him huge joy. "Travelling is a part of a musician's life. So, it's always a pleasure when I have the opportunity to see a new place, meet the people, and experience a new culture," he concludes.