John Paul Ekins
Piano music has no lyrics. Yet it speaks volumes.
All you need to know,
is what to listen for.
I spend my time deep-diving into some of the greatest pieces of music ever written and feeling into what soul stories they might be expressing, all so that I can share them with you.
I’m passionate about connecting on three levels when I perform: firstly, with my audience; secondly, with the composers whose stories I’m telling; finally, between every single human being, past and present, all united by the universal and existential themes touched upon in the music.
Classical Music has survived for hundreds of years, and for good reason. The stories it tells are the closest thing to musical truth that we have: universal tales of love, loss, life and death, fear and hope, loneliness and companionship, exile and homecoming, war and peace… all this and more.
In a world where we find ourselves increasingly isolated, both from others and from our deepest selves, connecting to these stories allows us to remind ourselves of what really matters, of who we really are.
No-one is free from pain and struggle, and all of us have the capacity to experience joy and love. The music that I perform celebrates these extremes of the human experience, reuniting us with ourselves and each other in the process.
Piano Recitals
My solo recitals take you on a journey through some of the greatest musical stories ever told. With my spoken introductions, I provide insight and background to the pieces in question, offering ideas of what to listen out for, or suggesting specific emotions to connect to while listening.
This is all done with the aim of encouraging reflection and introspection, of inviting you to indulge your imagination and fantasies as the music unfolds.
But my introductions are only the key that unlocks the door, that widens your horizon and sense of possibility. No two humans ever experience the same thing in the same way, so the way is paved for you to link the music to your own life story, to relate to the music in a way that is unique and personal to you alone.
Time and again, audiences tell me of the transformational power of what I do. For the seasoned listener, I offer fresh insight and perspective. For the newcomer, I provide a powerful entry point to the genre. On both counts, I provide a depth of connection to this music that they hadn’t thought possible.
Piano Shows
These take the soulful power of my Piano Recitals and supercharge them with dynamism and flair.
Joined on stage by a live orchestra, we take you on a journey that spans the widest range of emotions and musical genres.
These shows can currently only be experienced aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line or Celebrity cruise ship, where I star as a Headline Entertainer.
However, my future plans include touring the UK with these shows.
Albums
British Music for ‘Cello & Piano
with Liubov Ulybysheva
Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas, Vol.1
with Henry Chandler
British Music for Violin & Piano
with Clare Howick
Teaching
As a piano teacher and chamber music coach, I bring 20 years of experience and a joyful passion for sharing an infectious love of music with my students.
I teach the piano to all levels, from the more relaxed amateur to the aspiring young professional, and across the full spectrum of ages.
As a chamber music coach and accompanist, I specialise in working with string players, and I have the violin and ‘cello repertoire at my fingertips. I also work in this capacity at London’s top conservatoires: The Royal College of Music, The Royal Academy of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
