In an exclusive interaction with The Pioneer, pianist Timothy Marthand discussed
his interpretative style, his freedom of expression with music, and more.
Shikha Duggal
No, the concert halls are never empty when Timothy Marthand is playing. The idea of listening to him is in itself a contributory fact that you want to share music. Self made pianist, born in Hyderabad is on his way to build a reputation for captivating audiences with his musical highs to bigger expansions. He is so emotionally and deeply involved with his musical instruments that when he speaks of them you can clearly feel from where he is coming, and his mission to keep the piano tradition alive in the city of Hyderabad. So much so that, today he owns a piano professorship.
When we got the news that he is playing again in the city, though we could not sit down with him, he obliged us with a quick telephonic call and discussed his interpretative style and more.
“Surprisingly an IAS officer is an avid supporter of creative arts. Arvind Kumar saw me playing recently and we met. That’s when I felt a little more encouraged to strive better in this musical scene in my own city. Many times people come up to me and ask “why am I not playing abroad frequently” and my only answer is “how can I take the total Hyderabad with me?” They even say I’ll be even more successful and will get more fundings.”
This was the exact honesty that attracted us to interview him and all the great artists are his role models. He speaks further, “my freedom of expression with music inculcates all types of string instruments and we are not just discussing chamber music here.” Because the element is most famous for actually elevating all his pieces to sophisticated music.
He continued, “Multiple voices moving together is my forte. Indeed it’s a westernised concept but let me tell you, it’s more humanly evolved. Artistic expression is at par in it. In our musical terminology we call it the harmony element.”
Another way to say it is symphonic music, something related to Beethoven? “Because most of the time music is not written down, it differs here. When we use this element, something specific or accurate writing is used precisely. But there is a slight problem here — there are performance forums in the city; however, where is the infrastructure?”
The musician actually wants to create a wake up call in the government to which he says, “We need more infrastructure for creative arts to thrive in Hyderabad. There must be a concert hall in the town like we have in the western countries. The funding of arts is not even a concept to be heard of. Does it even exist I wonder! If states start funding creative arts, one can really come out of the computerised world without thinking a bit. We can celebrate life on an even merrier note.”
In reality the kind of music he does can take him to extremities, talking about the positives. The series of chords that he strikes fully expresses the way he is or the way he thinks.
He enjoys doing this music for almost a long time and, “the more I break down human illusion and ego, the closer I get to the music. I practice for incessant hours, and record a lot of recordings. I claim playing for Beethoven’s 250th anniversary in Berlin is my biggest career highlight. The reaction was epic in Germany. The world may not see the cultural roots of this music and consider it to be a western concept only but it takes me home.
To my surprise I understand my country better with this kind of music. But I don’t like it when anyone is not interested in being a pianist as the primary profession. If parents give priority to this profession too, it will be an investment to their children’s soul. Everything is transactional, very calculative and I can write this in writing for you.
That’s where the pit-stop is. Avenues can be only created by the leaders of the executive level. You can still think intellectually, having creative notes by your side. There was no reason for me to be at the IIT today but I am so glad to see that the founder has incorporated such courses in the university. Again this is my motivational streak to continue acing in this profession.”
