Helena Basilova spent all her childhood thinking that everyone in the world played the piano and was quite surprised to learn later that it was not true. Born to pianist parents, Helena took to the instrument herself at a very young age and has created quite a name for herself in the world of instrumental music. Though her repertoire consists of music from all periods and styles, she finds herself going back to Russian composers time and again. In the city to present a piano concert at ITC Windsor, the artiste shared her experiences with Rajitha Menon.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your music.
I was born in Russia to pianist parents. My mother was actually my father's pupil at a music school. So it was very natural for me to take to the piano because everyone around me was playing the instrument. I took my initial lessons in Russia, where I lived till I was 7 years old. Then we moved to the Netherlands, after which I went to a music school in Amsterdam. Soon after, I became a professional performer.
I was born in Russia to pianist parents. My mother was actually my father's pupil at a music school. So it was very natural for me to take to the piano because everyone around me was playing the instrument. I took my initial lessons in Russia, where I lived till I was 7 years old. Then we moved to the Netherlands, after which I went to a music school in Amsterdam. Soon after, I became a professional performer.
What are your thoughts while performing?
It is best not to have too many thoughts. Your mind and ears should be focussed on the music you are playing and what you are about to play. There is also one part of you that is trying to listen to the music from the audience's perception. I know that sounds kind of Schizophrenic but it is true.
It is best not to have too many thoughts. Your mind and ears should be focussed on the music you are playing and what you are about to play. There is also one part of you that is trying to listen to the music from the audience's perception. I know that sounds kind of Schizophrenic but it is true.
What has the audience response in India been like?
I think there is a growing audience for piano music in India. People have been quite warm and enthusiastic in all places that I have performed at. I think their interest is developing and I hope more concert venues will come up to promote this.
I think there is a growing audience for piano music in India. People have been quite warm and enthusiastic in all places that I have performed at. I think their interest is developing and I hope more concert venues will come up to promote this.
What is the best compliment you have got so far?
Oh wow... I don't know. I am always touched when people come up to me and say that they cried during the performance or that they were emotionally touched. Two days ago I played in Delhi where a woman came and told me she went into something like a meditative trance during the recital. But I think what I really love is when someone comes to me and says, 'Oh, I had never heard of this composer but what you played was very nice'. I feel happy when some composer gets the attention he so richly deserves. It is not just about me.
Oh wow... I don't know. I am always touched when people come up to me and say that they cried during the performance or that they were emotionally touched. Two days ago I played in Delhi where a woman came and told me she went into something like a meditative trance during the recital. But I think what I really love is when someone comes to me and says, 'Oh, I had never heard of this composer but what you played was very nice'. I feel happy when some composer gets the attention he so richly deserves. It is not just about me.
What are your thoughts about Indian musicI think it is amazing. I feel the classical music I play is actually behind Indian music because your musical rhythmical structure is so much more developed.
Any particular instrument you really like in Indian music?
I know too little of it but I really like all the percussion instruments. I feel the percussion instruments in Western Orchestra are never that melodic.
Thoughts about India..
I love India. This is my third visit. This country just breathes so much history and culture and I always have a great time here.So much so that I never want to go back home. I always feel sad at the airport.
I love India. This is my third visit. This country just breathes so much history and culture and I always have a great time here.So much so that I never want to go back home. I always feel sad at the airport.
If not a musician, then?
Hmm...I am not sure. I find many things very interesting. I would love to study arts, history or philosophy. I studied psychology for one year so I would like to take that further too. Or something along the lines of disaster management; that would be interesting. If I can not help people with my music, then I would like to something else that would comfort them. Like building a house and so on.
Hmm...I am not sure. I find many things very interesting. I would love to study arts, history or philosophy. I studied psychology for one year so I would like to take that further too. Or something along the lines of disaster management; that would be interesting. If I can not help people with my music, then I would like to something else that would comfort them. Like building a house and so on.
Hobbies other than music?
I love spending time with friends. I also used to go for concerts a lot but these days, because I am playing a lot, I don't want to go to an event during my free time also. I love yoga, dancing and travelling. But I wish I could have more time for my hobbies.
I love spending time with friends. I also used to go for concerts a lot but these days, because I am playing a lot, I don't want to go to an event during my free time also. I love yoga, dancing and travelling. But I wish I could have more time for my hobbies.
What do you listen to in your spare time?
Oh oh! (laughs) I listen to completely different music. I love hiphop music; something along the lines of the music of the 90s bands. I was listening to Drake yesterday (laughs). I love Beyonce. I also like going to Techno parties, jazz concerts or places with electronic music.
Oh oh! (laughs) I listen to completely different music. I love hiphop music; something along the lines of the music of the 90s bands. I was listening to Drake yesterday (laughs). I love Beyonce. I also like going to Techno parties, jazz concerts or places with electronic music.
Any instrument you want to play?
Cello. On a piano, once you have played a note, you can not influence it any more. But on a Cello, I can go high or low or soft with the existing note.
Cello. On a piano, once you have played a note, you can not influence it any more. But on a Cello, I can go high or low or soft with the existing note.
Three things about you that no one knows.
Oh! My boyfriend will read this and he will be like 'what..?' (laughs). Not many people know that If I am alone in my room, I like to put on loud Beyonce songs and dance. When I was small and I won my first piano competition, there was an interview and they asked me what I wanted to become. I said a hairdresser for dogs. I really can't think of a third thing.
Oh! My boyfriend will read this and he will be like 'what..?' (laughs). Not many people know that If I am alone in my room, I like to put on loud Beyonce songs and dance. When I was small and I won my first piano competition, there was an interview and they asked me what I wanted to become. I said a hairdresser for dogs. I really can't think of a third thing.
Helena Basilova spent all her childhood thinking that everyone in the world played the piano and was quite surprised to learn later that it was not true. Born to pianist parents, Helena took to the instrument herself at a very young age and has created quite a name for herself in the world of instrumental music. Though her repertoire consists of music from all periods and styles, she finds herself going back to Russian composers time and again. In the city to present a piano concert at ITC Windsor, the artiste shared her experiences with Rajitha Menon.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your music.
I was born in Russia to pianist parents. My mother was actually my father’s pupil at a music school. So it was very natural for me to take to the piano because everyone around me was playing the instrument. I took my initial lessons in Russia, where I lived till I was 7 years old. Then we moved to the Netherlands, after which I went to a music school in Amsterdam. Soon after, I became a professional performer.
I was born in Russia to pianist parents. My mother was actually my father’s pupil at a music school. So it was very natural for me to take to the piano because everyone around me was playing the instrument. I took my initial lessons in Russia, where I lived till I was 7 years old. Then we moved to the Netherlands, after which I went to a music school in Amsterdam. Soon after, I became a professional performer.
What are your thoughts while performing?
It is best not to have too many thoughts. Your mind and ears should be focussed on the music you are playing and what you are about to play. There is also one part of you that is trying to listen to the music from the audience’s perception. I know that sounds kind of Schizophrenic but it is true.
It is best not to have too many thoughts. Your mind and ears should be focussed on the music you are playing and what you are about to play. There is also one part of you that is trying to listen to the music from the audience’s perception. I know that sounds kind of Schizophrenic but it is true.
What has the audience response in India been like?
I think there is a growing audience for piano music in India. People have been quite warm and enthusiastic in all places that I have performed at. I think their interest is developing and I hope more concert venues will come up to promote this.
I think there is a growing audience for piano music in India. People have been quite warm and enthusiastic in all places that I have performed at. I think their interest is developing and I hope more concert venues will come up to promote this.
What is the best compliment you have got so far?
Oh wow... I don’t know. I am always touched when people come up to me and say that they cried during the performance or that they were emotionally touched. Two days ago I played in Delhi where a woman came and told me she went into something like a meditative trance during the recital. But I think what I really love is when someone comes to me and says, 'Oh, I had never heard of this composer but what you played was very nice’. I feel happy when some composer gets the attention he so richly deserves. It is not just about me.
Oh wow... I don’t know. I am always touched when people come up to me and say that they cried during the performance or that they were emotionally touched. Two days ago I played in Delhi where a woman came and told me she went into something like a meditative trance during the recital. But I think what I really love is when someone comes to me and says, 'Oh, I had never heard of this composer but what you played was very nice’. I feel happy when some composer gets the attention he so richly deserves. It is not just about me.
What are your thoughts about Indian musicI think it is amazing. I feel the classical music I play is actually behind Indian music because your musical rhythmical structure is so much more developed.
Any particular instrument you really like in Indian music?
I know too little of it but I really like all the percussion instruments. I feel the percussion instruments in Western Orchestra are never that melodic.
Thoughts about India..
I love India. This is my third visit. This country just breathes so much history and culture and I always have a great time here.So much so that I never want to go back home. I always feel sad at the airport.
I love India. This is my third visit. This country just breathes so much history and culture and I always have a great time here.So much so that I never want to go back home. I always feel sad at the airport.
If not a musician, then?
Hmm...I am not sure. I find many things very interesting. I would love to study arts, history or philosophy. I studied psychology for one year so I would like to take that further too. Or something along the lines of disaster management; that would be interesting. If I can not help people with my music, then I would like to something else that would comfort them. Like building a house and so on.
Hmm...I am not sure. I find many things very interesting. I would love to study arts, history or philosophy. I studied psychology for one year so I would like to take that further too. Or something along the lines of disaster management; that would be interesting. If I can not help people with my music, then I would like to something else that would comfort them. Like building a house and so on.
Hobbies other than music?
I love spending time with friends. I also used to go for concerts a lot but these days, because I am playing a lot, I don’t want to go to an event during my free time also. I love yoga, dancing and travelling. But I wish I could have more time for my hobbies.
I love spending time with friends. I also used to go for concerts a lot but these days, because I am playing a lot, I don’t want to go to an event during my free time also. I love yoga, dancing and travelling. But I wish I could have more time for my hobbies.
What do you listen to in your spare time?
Oh oh! (laughs) I listen to completely different music. I love hiphop music; something along the lines of the music of the 90s bands. I was listening to Drake yesterday (laughs). I love Beyonce. I also like going to Techno parties, jazz concerts or places with electronic music.
Oh oh! (laughs) I listen to completely different music. I love hiphop music; something along the lines of the music of the 90s bands. I was listening to Drake yesterday (laughs). I love Beyonce. I also like going to Techno parties, jazz concerts or places with electronic music.
Any instrument you want to play?
Cello. On a piano, once you have played a note, you can not influence it any more. But on a Cello, I can go high or low or soft with the existing note.
Cello. On a piano, once you have played a note, you can not influence it any more. But on a Cello, I can go high or low or soft with the existing note.
Three things about you that no one knows.
Oh! My boyfriend will read this and he will be like 'what..?’ (laughs). Not many people know that If I am alone in my room, I like to put on loud Beyonce songs and dance. When I was small and I won my first piano competition, there was an interview and they asked me what I wanted to become. I said a hairdresser for dogs. I really can’t think of a third thing.
Oh! My boyfriend will read this and he will be like 'what..?’ (laughs). Not many people know that If I am alone in my room, I like to put on loud Beyonce songs and dance. When I was small and I won my first piano competition, there was an interview and they asked me what I wanted to become. I said a hairdresser for dogs. I really can’t think of a third thing.