Photographing classical musicians is just as challenging as photographing any other genre of musicians.

For instance, I went to shoot So Percussion at their studio in Brooklyn. The place was literally packed from floor to ceiling with things to make noise with as well as slide projectors, computers, paintings by friends, balloons, wires everywhere snaking around my feet. A truly amazing place but difficult to light and move around in. Then they played me their new composition – so brilliant it brought tears to my eyes. And I had to shoot them as they rehearsed – a very intense day. That is my third or maybe fourth photo shoot for them and each time they pull another surprising idea out of their heads . I mean they play the electric toothbrush! amongst other noise making things.

A couple of weeks later I went to shoot the brilliant pianist Michael Brown at Julliard. We were shown to a truly enormous rehearsal space empty except for one piano in a far corner. How to express the passion of the man’s playing? Yes he plays piano like no one I have ever heard. Michael was wearing a great suit, he’s handsome,  his hands are beautiful and the pattern on the sound walls somehow makes the photo look very modern and yet almost retro cool. The image we shot is on the poster for his concert at Carnegie Hall on April 10th, he will be playing one of his own compositions as well as some Beethoven Debussy et al.