by Rita Tulelli
There are stories that begin with a touch of magic, others with the sound of a dream. That of Gabriele
Pupa, a talented twenty-nine-year-old pianist from Crotone, undoubtedly belongs to the second category.
Raised in a family of musicians, Gabriele has breathed music since he was a child, turning the
piano into the inseparable companion of his life. With a classical background and an
insatiable curiosity for new genres, Gabriele is now an artist able to blend tradition and
innovation, giving deep emotions to anyone who listens to him.
In this interview, he tells us about his journey, his passions, and the projects in which he is
the protagonist.
When and how did your passion for the piano begin?
"My passion for music was born when I was just two years old, and I owe this above all
to my family, who were my first great contact with the world of notes. My mother is a
multi-instrumentalist, and the house I grew up in was always full of musical instruments: guitars,
pianos, wind instruments. It was like living immersed in a domestic orchestra. This
allowed me to develop an immediate and instinctive connection with music. I still clearly remember
the Christmas when, as a child, I asked Santa Claus for a piano of my own. It was a
desire so pure and intense that that gift marked the true beginning of my musical journey. The
piano, from that moment, became the center of my world, a means to express
emotions that I couldn't communicate with words."
What projects are you currently working on? Do you have any concerts or special collaborations
planned?
"In recent years, I wanted to explore my most creative side. I graduated from the conservatory, and the
classical path was fundamental in giving me the technique and discipline I needed. However, my
passion doesn't stop at classical music: I am also fascinated by pop music, and I try to
find a way to combine these two seemingly distant worlds. At the moment I am
working on a very special collaboration with a fellow musician. I can't reveal too much,
but I am composing the music for a piece that I consider particularly touching and profound. It is
a piece that speaks to the heart, and I believe that those who listen to it will find themselves reflecting and feeling moved. It is a
project into which I am putting my whole soul, and I really hope it can reach the audience with
the same intensity with which I imagined it."
How do you prepare emotionally and technically for a live performance?
"Every time I prepare for a live performance, I experience a mix of conflicting emotions: there is
anxiety, there is adrenaline, but above all there is immense joy. For me, playing is a form of
emotional communication. When I am at the piano, I am not simply playing notes;
I am telling a story, I am offering a part of myself to the audience. Before going on stage, I try
to get into a state of total concentration. Technically, I make sure that every
passage is perfect, repeating it until it becomes part of me, but on an emotional level it is
essential to feel the piece inside, to live it. When I play, I am deeply moved, and I believe
that this is the key to moving those who listen to me as well. It is a special, almost
magical connection that makes every performance unique and unrepeatable."
If you had to describe your relationship with the piano in one sentence, what would it be?
"My relationship with the piano is one of absolute love, an indissoluble bond. I know that the
piano will never betray me, that it will always be there for me, to collect every emotion, every
thought, every silence that I want to turn into music."
In a few words, Gabriele Pupa has conveyed to us all the passion and feeling that bind him to the
piano. For him it is not just an instrument, but an extension of his soul, a means to
communicate with the world in an authentic and profound way. His ability to combine the rigor of
tradition with the exploration of new musical genres makes him a unique artist, capable of
fascinating and moving.
All that remains is to wait for his next steps, certain that he will continue to give us emotions through
his music, with the piano as his faithful traveling companion.