L’Enfant Terrible of French classical music, Sofiane Pamart is an haute couture pianist with a very unique style. Born in the suburbs of Lille, the pianist of Moroccan descent went on to become a gold medallist in the city’s conservatory and has since collaborated and mixed classical piano with hip-hop.

On July 17th, the piano prodigy plays his first UK show at London’s Barbican. He was one of 2021’s top 10 most-streamed classical music artists and LETTER is his second highly anticipated solo release. Today we interview the creative on his cinematographic music as well as finding the balance between technical skills with raw emotions, connecting classical music to a new generation inspired by hip hop and street style.

Sofiane, thank you for joining me today. Tell us about your new album LETTER.

I composed the album LETTER while traveling through Asia. I have been very inspired by the crazy cities I discovered, their aesthetics, their energy. I am also influenced by the people I meet. I listen to music all the time- all types of music.

The artists I admire the most are those who really master their work and reach a large audience, who mix greatness and emotion. It goes from classical music to hip hop and electro artists.

 Tell us a bit about your creative process?

I compose quite instinctively. When I feel strong emotions, it flows into the piano. I created the visual content with a great graphic designer who is also a close friend, Adrien Beaujeant. He was part of the team who I travelled with when I composed LETTER. We have both been inspired by the futuristic atmosphere of many cities we discovered.

We share a common imaginary identity, fueled by the places we discover, the movies we watch, and the people we meet.

What are the themes you touch on with your new work/music? 

Universal feelings actually. Love and hate, anger and hope. And of course, gratitude: the album is a LETTER to my public, as the setlist forms a sentence - "Dear Public, Your Love Saved Me From Solitude Forever. Sincerely, Sofiane. PS: I wrote this album in Asia".

Do you think the art world needs to change, and if so how can it be improved?

I think there is still a lot to do when it comes to mixing artists and audiences from different musical backgrounds. This is what I experiment when I play the piano, with classical training, for hip hop or electro artists. We need to cross borders beyond prejudices. 

Can you please tell a bit more about what the audience can expect from your Barbican show?

It is such a great honour to play at Barbican and I want the experience for the audience to be very unique. It will not only be a piano recital because there will also be a graphic and narrative dimension. I want the audience to travel through different atmospheres, memories, and emotions while listening to the music.

Sofiane Pamart Instagram