Connect with us

A Conversation with John Vegard Schow: The Man Behind ‘Pianists of the World’

Entertainment

A Conversation with John Vegard Schow: The Man Behind ‘Pianists of the World’

In a recent interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Vegard Schow, the mastermind behind the upcoming “Pianists of the World” EP. With three singles already making waves and the full EP set to drop on August 2nd, 2024, there’s a palpable excitement surrounding the project. Schow, a professor of performing music with a career spanning over two decades, was eager to dive into our conversation.

John, tell us about the genesis of the “Pianists of the World” project.

It all started in September 2023. I had this idea to collaborate with pianists from different parts of Europe. With support from Music Norway and Musikkforleggerne, I traveled to Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK to meet these incredible artists in their own studios. The energy was electric, and the music that came out of those sessions… well, it’s something I’m really proud of.

Can you give us a rundown of the tracks and collaborators?

Absolutely! We’ve got “Swans of Bruges” with Tom Kristiaan from Belgium, which came out on May 25th. Then there’s “Fawns of Amersfoort” with Ron Adelaar from the Netherlands, released on June 13th. “Lamb of the Midlands”, my collaboration with Christof R Davis from the UK, hit streaming platforms on July 14th. And on August 2nd, alongside the full EP release, we’ll be dropping “Crane Dance of Närke”, a piece I created with Rasmus Høisgaard Thomsen, or Højsgaard as he’s known, from Sweden and Denmark.

The “Pianists of the world” EP

That’s quite a lineup! How would you describe the music to someone who hasn’t heard it yet?

I’d say it’s peaceful music with strong melodies. It invites listeners to dream, focus, and relax. Each track has its own unique flavor, influenced by the collaborating artist and their cultural background. But there’s a common thread of tranquility and exploration running through the EP.

Your musical journey is fascinating. How did it all begin?

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother used to sing to me when I was a child. I started with a cassette player, recording rock-n-roll songs. Then I picked up the recorder, violin, and finally the piano. In my teens, I branched out to guitar, bass, and harmonica, playing in various bands before university. It’s been quite a ride!

What other projects are you working on?

I’m always keeping busy! I’m working on new solo piano music for release in late 2024 and early 2025. There’s also a larger project based on the Song of Songs, involving soloists, choir, strings, percussion, and piano/synth. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m embarking on a massive undertaking of creating 150 songs based on the Psalms. So, there’s plenty of music on the horizon!

Finally, what do you hope listeners take away from the “Pianists of the World” EP?

I hope they find inspiration, calmness, and maybe even some new ideas. Music has this incredible power to transcend boundaries and connect people. With this EP, we’re bringing together different pianistic expressions from across Europe. If listeners can feel that connection and experience a bit of the joy we felt creating this music, I’ll consider it a success.

As our conversation concluded, the passion in Schow’s voice was unmistakable. The “Pianists of the World” EP isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a labor of love, a celebration of collaboration, and a testament to the universal language of music. With the release date just around the corner, music lovers around the globe have something special to look forward to (you can also check out all currently released tracks via this Spotify playlist). The EP will be available on all major streaming platforms from August 2nd, 2024. In the meantime, fans can explore more of Schow’s work on his website, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Disrupt Weekly.

More in Entertainment

To Top