Isata Kanneh-Mason on Prokofiev, Family & Life on Tour | WRTI

It’s difficult to predict where Isata Kanneh-Mason’s musical imagination will take her next. Across five solo albums in seven years, the 30-year-old British pianist has delved into the worlds of Clara Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn, explored repertoire by American composers, and revisited the sounds and stories of childhood. Her latest album, released in April on Decca Classics, is devoted to the mercurial music of Sergei Prokofiev, anchored by her account of the composer’s notoriously difficult Third Piano Concerto. But Kanneh-Mason’s curiosity extends well beyond her recording projects: from playful experiments on social media to the musical ideas and performances she shares with her six siblings — all gifted classical musicians — she seems determined to keep widening the boundaries of what her life and art can encompass. Kanneh-Mason visited WRTI in May on the heels of a sensational recital with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. She spoke with Classical Program Director Zev Kane about her recording process, life on the road, growing up in the remarkable Kanneh-Mason household, and what she continues to learn from her siblings. 0:00 – Welcome to WRTI: Isata Kanneh-Mason 0:19 – Life on the Road: Tours, Energy, and Downtime 2:33 – The New Prokofiev Album 4:16 – Learning the Third Piano Concerto 6:26 – From Concept to Studio: Curating and Recording an Album 9:30 – Future Projects and Life on Social Media 12:12 – Meet the Kanneh-Mason Family 15:21 – Growing Up as One of Seven 16:52 – The Sunday Critique Sessions 19:09 – Teaching, Mentors, and Sibling Telepathy 21:16 – The Kanneh-Mason Sound 23:22 – Wrapping Up in Philly Follow WRTI:   / wrtimusic     / wrtimusic      / wrtimusic