Yanni
A truly global and perhaps one of the most recognizable performers of our time, Yanni, comes to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Aug. 23.
A Greek pianist, composer and music producer who spent most of his adult life in the United States, Yanni began displaying his musical talent at a young age, playing the piano at age 6.
While still young and growing up in Greece, Yanni said he was influenced by many types of music.
“But perhaps the most influential music was the music of the great composers such as Bach, whom I loved at a very young age. I also listened to and was influenced by Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart.
“Then, as I grew older,” he continued, “I had access to a radio and found many other types of music such as British rock, Middle Eastern and Latin. I think it is the combination of all of these types of music that has given me the opportunity to compose a wide range of music.”
By the time he graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Yanni said he came to a crossroads.
“I was either going to continue with my master’s degree and dedicate my life to psychology or take a chance with music.”
He chose the latter.
“I decided at that time to commit one full year of my life to music. If music did not work out for me as a career, then I would go back to school. I guess music worked out because I have never regretted that decision, and it has provided a wonderful life of experiences for me.”
According to Yanni, early on, the first music he composed tended to be “very electronic-oriented. I was deeply into the sounds and sound designs made possible with the keyboards. After that initial electronic style, I ventured into more classical or melodic piano compositions and released a piano solo album titled In My Time. During our concerts, the audience experiences a wide array of musical styles from symphonic, piano, electronic, Eastern and rock.”
In keeping with his globe-trotting, Yanni, 60, will sometimes play concerts at historic monuments, the first one being at the Acropolis in Greece.
“That was a great moment for me and became a TV special and video product that ended up being played all around the world.”
Since then, he has performed at India’s Taj Mahal, China’s Forbidden City, El Morro in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. He said he loves performing at all these venues and is constantly looking around for the next one.
Yanni has been awarded more than 40 platinum and gold albums worldwide, and has sold more than 25 million albums globally. His newest album, titled Inspirato, took four years to complete, and tells the story of the loves of Yanni’s life.
Discussing the secret to his success, Yanni said he doesn’t believe there is just one.
“I have always been focused on my goals, and I look at the solutions and envision the achievements of what I am working for,” he explained. “I do not focus on problems or let the obstacles blind my vision. I think that more than anything, this type of existence and focusing on the positive outcome has contributed to my career’s success.” ••
The show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $125. Call 1–800–745–3000.
