Pianists have a vibe about them like no other musician. The poise and elegance that comes with them are extraordinary. The piano is not just an instrument for great pianists; they work their magic on all 88 keys to produce some of the best soothing, heartfelt, and soulful melodies that can put all music aficionados under their spell. Over the past three centuries, renowned piano players from all around the world have created impactful melodies that touch the heart, even if you listen to them today.
If we say that some legendary pianists have literally transformed music in epic ways, it won’t be an understatement. In recent times, composer and pianist Johnny Hachem, from Lebanon, has been doing rounds for his amazing piano skills and making everyone fall in love with his incredible compositions.
Hailing from a musical background, Johnny’s dad was a violinist while his mother was a pianist; hence he always felt inspired by the musical world he was living in. According to Johnny, he was touched by the magic of music when he was just a child. “I remember very well how heartwarming it was to hear my parents play together in my younger years,” he shared. “It felt like a surfer commanding the waves; it was such a beautiful experience. From that moment, I felt I had to be part of it,” he added. It was during this phase of his life when Johnny discovered his life’s purpose and passion.
Johnny also revealed that apart from his parents, he also drew inspiration from many well-known musicians. During his childhood, he used to listen to German composer Richard Wagner whose tunes greatly affected him. It made him feel like being soulfully elevated into another world. That was a turning point in his life – he decided to become a composer just like Richard and create music that inspires, motivates, and feels like an exceptional experience for everyone who listens to it. Johnny started learning piano and music composition at the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music, where he earned a master’s degree; that too with distinction.
While being skilled in playing the piano and training for this art from an early age, Johnny knew talent without hard work never succeeds. Therefore he dedicated his heart, soul, and time to further mastering his craft and improving his skills. For those who don’t know, Johnny has been a professional pianist for over 20 years now, composing melodious music. He has even composed for solo instruments, chamber music as well as orchestras. Johnny’s compositions have been performed on many stages in many countries by different symphony orchestras.
Talking about his dreams, he shared that it is his ultimate dream to perform in every country at least once. One of the true genius pianists of the current times, Johnny has also performed his compositions as a soloist at several concerts and international festivals in Ukraine, Lebanon, Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Lithuania, South Korea, and other Arab countries.
A remarkable pianist, Johnny has also received many awards and nominations on some of the most prestigious musical platforms around the world. He has been praised and admired on various international awards platforms, including the 2009 Music Composition at The International Composition Conference in France. He even achieved third place at the 2021 Classic Pure Vienna International Composition Competition in Vienna, Austria. On what makes his music so amazing and unique, he stated, “My music is based heavily on the style of Neo-romanticism with some modernistic elements. Though I have many modern/contemporary style compositions, I believe that music always needs beauty to survive, and I found this beauty in the neo-romanticism style that gives more importance to the representation of internal feelings.”
Johnny Hachem describes himself as ‘a successful peacemaker through music’. Despite coming from a war-affected country, he always felt war has never been a solution. As an ambassador of peace, his vision to unite people over music is truly an inspiration for many upcoming artists. “My childhood was not easy because of the war. This made it difficult to enjoy normal academic and psychological conditions. I would snuggle up to play the piano at home when there was a ceasefire and also for studying at school. I remember very well how many times we rushed to the school shelter because of the bombing,” he informed. “The journey was never easy, but I knew giving up was not an option. The only way I could show my resistance against the war and all those killings was by working on my dream, which is exactly what I did. I wanted to become a professional musician and spread peace in my own way, and that’s what I am doing now,” he concluded.
