The Sounds They Loved: An Interview with Pianist Leslie Amper

Posted March 3, 2025

Tickets are on sale now.

On Saturday, March 22, pianist Leslie Amper returns to the Vero Beach Museum of Art for The Sounds They Loved: Musical Connections to French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, a performance that bridges visual art and music and offers insights into the musical influences on artists featured in the exhibition.

In this interview, Ms. Amper tells us about the upcoming program and the path that led her to her career as one of the world’s most dynamic pianists.

VBMA—What can a ticketholder expect from The Sounds They Loved?

Amper—For starters, the audience will hear a live performance of classical  piano pieces that will be associated with the art in some way. Of course, French composers Debussy and Ravel are included, but the French Moderns: Monet to Matisse 1850-1950  exhibition also offers delightful connections to English, Hungarian, and American composers. In addition to the live piano music, the program includes images, film, and historic recordings. My  interspersed commentary reflects the connections I found..

VBMA—What research informed your selections for your March 22 program What was your inspiration?

Amper—The first inspiration was when Director of Education, Sara Klein, asked me to create one of my ‘one-of-a-kind multimedia programs’ for the exhibition. My process of bringing this program to fruition was a result of looking at the art, reading about the artists, and drawing on my musical knowledge and experience as a concert pianist. In addition, I always enjoy offering something that I think people won’t come across elsewhere. I use my imagination for those segments.

Some of the artists have direct connections to music so that was an easy place to start. I include music that reflects the shared inspirations of the painters and composers such as nature, religion, and their cultural milieu. I also explore what music will reflect the mood of the paintings. Two of the painters had strong nostalgia for their homelands, so I will present the folk music they likely would have known.

In one case, I was involved in a recreation of a concert of the music created for a film. This is a story I will certainly share!

VBMA—Is there a piece in the program that is your favorite?

Amper—I like all the music on this program.

VBMA—Your bio indicates your debut was at Carnegie Hall. Tell us about your journey to that point (in addition to practice, practice, practice)?

Amper—My debut was in Carnegie (now Weill) Recital Hall. I have also played  in the big Carnegie Hall. These were wonderful experiences, but I love to play concerts so every performance  is “Carnegie Hall” for me even if it is just for one person in my studio.

VBMA—You are one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most dynamic pianists. What were your early influences?

Amper—My mother took me to my first adult matinee concert when I was six. It was then that I decided to become a pianist. My sister was my first piano teacher. She taught me what she was learning in her lessons. I played the piano in our basement in my high chair. As I got older, my  brother  gave me good advice about learning different kinds of music. My father loved classical music and had a huge record collection. We  would listen to them together.

I owe a tremendous amount to my piano teachers.  They certainly encouraged me but also were very clear about what it takes to play music at a high level. 

I was incredibly lucky to have such wonderful teachers.