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Chilly Gonzales

Michael Berkeley's guest is Canadian pianist Chilly Gonzales. His musical selections include Mahler, Michael Nyman and Scarlatti, plus songs from Faure, Dionne Warwick and Drake.

Canadian pianist Chilly Gonzales is on a mission - to get us all playing. His piano books and online pop music masterclasses attract hundreds of thousands of hits. Classically trained, he has one of the least orthodox careers in recent music: he made his name in rap, electronica and pop, becoming a successful songwriter and producer for the likes of the rapper Drake and the band Daft Punk. More recently he has been composing for piano and now for strings as well. He has a mission to break down the barrier between art and entertainment, and above all, a simple, overriding passion for music.

His stage shows - both in concert halls and in less conventional places such as old Cold-War German bunkers - are pretty dazzling affairs, and he appears dressed like a matinee idol in a silk robe and slippers.

Chilly chooses music by Mahler, Michael Nyman and Scarlatti, and songs from Fauré, Dionne Warwick and Drake.

He talks to Michael about musical genius, the art of rapping, and above all the endless possibilities and joy he finds in the piano.

Produced by Jane Greenwood
A Loftus Production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3.

Available now

33 minutes

Last on

Sun 27 Dec 2015 12:00

Music Played

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Apres Un Reve

    Performer: Pau Casals. Performer: Pau Casals.
    • Casals: The Victor Recordings (1926-1928).
    • BIDDULPH.
    • 17.
  • Drake

    Marvins Room

    • Take Care.
    • Young Money.
    • 6.
  • Michael Nyman

    Time Lapse

    Performer: The Zoo Orchestra. Ensemble: The Zoo Orchestra.
    • The Very Best of Michael Nyman - Film Music 1980 - 2001.
    • Virgin Records.
    • 6.
  • Domenico Scarlatti

    Sonata In A Minor

    Performer: Vladimir Horowitz.
    • The Celebrated Scarlatti Recordings.
    • Sony Music Distribution.
    • 2.
  • Aphex Twin

    Avril 14th

  • Burt Bacharach

    The Windows Of The World

    Performer: Dionne Warwick. Performer: Dionne Warwick. Lyricist: Hal David.
    • DIONNE WARWICK SINGS THE BACHARACH & DAVID SONGBOOK.
    • MUSIC CLUB.
    • 22.
  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No.1 - 3. Feierlich Und Gemessen

    Performer: Riccardo Chailly. Performer: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • Symphonies/Mahle.
    • Decca.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Sun 27 Dec 2015 12:00

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