Guildhall Questions: Lucy Parham answers

On Sunday 17 November Guildhall School welcomes pianist Lucy Parham to the Milton Court Concert Hall stage to present her Composer Portrait recital celebrating the bicentenary of Clara Schumann, as part of the School's Alumni Recital Series. We caught up with Lucy ahead of the performance - for which she's joined by fellow Guildhall alumni Lesley Sharp and Simon Russell Beale - to find out more about Beloved Clara.

Your celebrated Composer Portrait concerts have been running for almost two decades now. Could you tell us about the concept behind the performances and why you think the series has been so popular with audiences and listeners?

For me, being able to bring the composers to life is very special. Instead of them being a figure of history, they become real people. They live and exist in the room, both for me as the pianist, and with the audience. I structure the letters in such a way that they make a fluent story and some of the pieces link directly to the narrative. The rest of the music is chosen to reflect the mood of the story.

I always feel it's been a success if somebody said they were very moved or emotionally carried away by the evening. I aim to get to the heart of their lives, even though we don't have much time in which to do that in one evening!

You’re collaborating with actors and fellow Guildhall alumni Lesley Sharp and Sir Simon Russell Beale for this Beloved Clara performance in Milton Court Concert Hall. How do you think the two disciplines – acting and music – complement each other?

I think they blend perfectly. At a very basic level I think we all love being read to. It probably stems back to childhood! It's quite a soothing experience. And to intersperse music between the narrative helps to link the story with another art form.

Beloved Clara was one of your first Composer Portraits, and you also focus on the composer in your newest show I, Clara. What is it about Clara Schumann that has made you return to her story and music?

Beloved Clara has been part of my life for over 15 years. As this year is her bicentenary I thought I should create a new show -  to give her her own voice. The two shows do share some material (it would be impossible to do otherwise) but in many ways they are quite different. She was such an extraordinary woman. She possessed such a core of inner strength and resilience. And we tend to forget that during her lifetime she was much more famous than her husband. So this year I'm trying to redress the balance in a small way by sharing her incredible life story with as many people as possible.

This event is part of Guildhall’s Alumni Recital Series. Do you have fond memories of your time studying at Guildhall? What has it been like to return as a member of staff?

Most of my musical education took place at Guildhall! When I was 16 I came to the junior department to study with Joan Havill, which was a very special year for me.  And then the following year I arrived in senior school. I have so many happy memories and made lifelong friends. Being a professor is something that I take very seriously. To pass on the knowledge and things I have been fortunate to learn from others, and through performing, is an honour and a responsibility. On the flip side, as a musician you never stop learning. In a way you always feel like a student because every concert you give teaches you something. We are always learning and growing.

Your career is incredibly varied – combining broadcasting, teaching, writing, recording and, of course, performing on stage. Is there one aspect that you enjoy most?

I have to say that I feel very fortunate to have all these aspects running simultaneously in my career. I think one feeds off the other.  I spent the first two decades of my career mainly doing solo recitals and playing concertos. I do a lot more with actors now. These Composer Portraits have become a major part of my life. To work with actors of the calibre of Simon Russell Beale, Lesley Sharp, Juliet Stevenson, Harriet Walter and Dominic West, to name but a few, has been wonderful. I've always loved the theatre. It's been a great passion of mine for many years, and sharing the stage with some of our finest actors is a great privilege. 

The work behind creating each new Composer Portrait is also fascinating. I'm immersed in the text, letters and diaries for months at a time as it takes a long time to put a new show together. It means you get really connected to a particular composer through their music and their life.

Who or what have been some of your biggest inspirations? 

I owe a huge amount to Joan Havill [Senior Professor in Keyboard Studies at Guildhall School]. I often think that I would not have had a career as a pianist had I not met her at the age I did. Her dedication to teaching knows no bounds. 

My greatest inspiration has probably been music itself. I can't really imagine my life without it.

What advice would you give for budding musicians, especially musical entrepreneurs?

I think it's very important to try and carve out your own career. I always remember somebody telling me that offers and engagements were not going to drop through the letterbox. And of course, that's absolutely correct! Everyone needs some luck in life of course, but to a certain extent you do need to create your own. But we are fortunate now where there are so many more avenues open and people can be multidisciplinary in their careers. There will possibly be more downs than ups, but if you stay focused a career in music is there for you!

Beloved Clara takes place in Milton Court Concert Hall on Sunday 17 November at 7pm. Tickets available from barbican.org.uk

Since this Q&A was published, it has been announced that Lesley Sharp is no longer able to take part in this concert. She will be replaced by Dame Harriet Walter.