Although Sonia Achkar began learning to play the piano as early as five and has been playing ever since, she still considers it a process of everyday evolution. Brought up in the Classical Viennese tradition, Sonia’s music has influences of Pepper Choplin, Franz Schubert and Mozart. “Since my mother is from Poland, I’m also connected to Slavic music deeply. One of my biggest inspirations of all times is certainly my teacher, Menahem Pressler, who has taught me always to stay curious and search for the beauty in any music,” says the Germany-based artiste, who will be performing at SOTA Résonance Festival, this weekend. As a tribute to legendary German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, Sonia will perform the finale of The Berlin Concert.
While starting young makes her quite the prodigy, Sonia’s passion for piano strengthened in her late teens, thanks to her teacher and supportive family that loved music. “In the beginning, it is just hard work to understand the piano in all its facets. Once you pass that stage, you develop a deep love and connection to music that lasts a lifetime,” she says.
Known for her rhythmic sensibility and dramatic piano sounds, Sonia believes in giving her listeners an enthralling musical journey by conveying a message. “When I play, I try to take the emotions of the composer through mine and finally reach the listeners’ ears as a unit. All the listener has to do is to open up and join me on the journey,” she shares.
As a recitalist, soloist and accomplished chamber musician, Sonia has performed at international festivals including Carl Orff Festspiele, Germany, Thy Chamber Music Festival (Denmark), Toronto Summer Music Festival (Canada) and Val Tidone Music Festival (Italy). She has also performed with legendary American-German-Israeli pianist Menahem Pressler, who called her a “fine pianist, outstandingly sensitive musician and an excellent chamber music collaborator.”
Excited about her first trip and performance in India, Sonia is working on solo CD recording scheduled for production this year.
January 19, 5 pm. At SOTA Résonance Festival 2019, The Trident.