Chopin Salon @ Home: Umi Garrett
Until we can see you again at our live events, we are excited to present another edition of Chopin Salons @ Home. We sincerely hope that all of our members and subscribers are keeping safe and healthy, and we invite you to enjoy these specially curated programs online!
Umi Garrett, co- 4th Prize Winner Preliminary Round Recital
The season finale of our 2019-20 Chopin for All concert series was scheduled to take place this weekend, on May 16 & 17, and would have featured performances by the co-Fourth Prize Winner of the 10th National Chopin Piano Competition, Miss Umi Garrett. While we can’t bring Umi to you in a live recital, we thought this would be a great time to feature her wonderful First Round performance that was recorded during the live streamed broadcast just three short months ago!
About Umi Garrett
We recently got to know more about Umi through an interview she shared with the Chopin Foundation. Umi started taking piano lessons at age 4 1/2 and by the time she was 8, she was already in the spotlight, garnering a performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (you can watch little Umi’s performance and “piano tricks” here - but be prepared for cuteness overload!)
Umi Garrett will celebrate her 20th birthday later this summer and as Ellen predicted, she is becoming well known in the world of classical music. We asked Umi for some thoughts about her Preliminary Round recital, and she had this to say about the four pieces:
“The program featured in this video includes a few of my favorite pieces by Chopin. It begins with the Nocturne in F-sharp minor, which I believe is one of the most operatic pieces that Chopin composed. Its outer sections are beautiful arias, with an extremely heartbreaking melody, and the middle section feels very much like a recitative. I just love how the different characters converse with each other and this piece makes me imagine a dramatic lover’s quarrel unfolding on stage. Next comes the two etudes - Op. 10, No. 4 and Op. 25, No. 5. Both of these pieces are very close to my heart, and I think it is really interesting when played one after another. The dramatic Op. 10, No. 4 is an explosion of turmoil and anguish while the Op. 25, No. 5 etude, or commonly known as the ‘wrong note’ etude, is a song of melancholy and longing (although this sadness and nostalgia is at times shrouded by the whimsical ‘wrong notes’). Finally, I end the program with Chopin’s Scherzo No. 4, another all time favorite of mine, especially because of its middle section. To me, it is reminiscent of the F-sharp minor Nocturne’s aria-like melody, except it’s just a little more soul-crushing. However, the outer sections have the same playfulness and whimsy as some bits of the Op. 25, No. 5 etude, and it ends with an orchestral swelling climax, which reminds me of the Concerto No. 1 (which I played in the final round of the competition).”
In the World of Competitions
Competitions are challenging, and not only from the perspective of those being judged. As the presenter of the National Chopin Piano Competition, the Foundation aims to create an environment that is supportive of the pianists, one that celebrates everyone’s talent, and nurtures growth. While the prizes may only go to a few, each contestant has already achieved so much just to be able to walk out on the Competition Stage. We asked Umi what it was like to participate in the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition:
“The competition experience I had a few months ago in Miami was really unique to me. It was the most stressful and panic-inducing 10 days of my life, and it was absolutely worth it. I met so many talented and kind pianists who I am lucky to call my friends. My favorite memory of the competition is when the other pianists and I were sitting together backstage before the final result announcements and talking about how lucky we are to be able to play the music that we love. I also met so many wonderful volunteers and staff members backstage who calmed me down before and after I performed. They gave me pep talks, hyped me up, and made me feel as good as I possibly could in the most stressful of situations. And I can’t talk about the competition without mentioning my Florida family, the Fultons’, who hosted me in their Miami home. They brought me to rehearsals, watched me perform both from the hall and from home/work through the live-stream, celebrated (and got nervous) with me, and supported me 100%. I also got to talk to the wonderful panel of judges, who I admire so much (and definitely do not lightly stalk on Spotify and YouTube). Barbara Muze, the director of the US Chopin Foundation told all of us at orientation at the start of the 10 days that we are now a big family, and I could really feel that. Despite the many nervous breakdowns, moments of slight insanity, and absolute panic, it was really some of the best days of my life.”
Life Lessons with Umi Garrett
It is not often that a pianist will jump at the opportunity to leave the piano bench and grab a microphone. Umi Garrett on the other hand is clearly at ease when speaking to an audience.
“This is one of my TEDx talks . . . from late 2016 (which seems oh so long ago). I talk about the power of music, about traveling to different places and performing for people and for causes I believe in. This topic is still, and especially, relevant today as we all struggle with the coronavirus. For the last couple months, I’ve been touched to see and hear many of my friends and colleagues share their music and talents through social media. I’ve collaborated with some of my friends as well to try and bring a little hope, distraction, fun, and love through music. I’ve also found that in these uncertain times, it is music that brings stability and peace into my life, and I know that many others have felt the same way as well. I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring this virtual concert to your home through the Chopin Foundation, and I’m looking forward to the time when I can safely perform for you all in person. In the meantime, stay safe, healthy, and at home, and enjoy some Chopin!”
And that concludes another edition of the Chopin Salons @ Home. Until next time!
Thank you Umi Garrett for sharing your time, music, and insights with the Chopin Foundation of the United States. We look forward to bringing you back to Miami next season for our Chopin for All Concerts.
Please let us know what you think: info@chopin.org
Chopin Foundation programs are made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and the City of Coral Gables. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Funding Arts Broward; the Miami Salon Group; and scores of generous donors.