Beatrice Rana discusses the effects of the pandemic on young musicians with Italian National Associated Press Agency

Beatrice Rana (Photo credit: Simon Fowler )

Beatrice Rana, online talent affects young talent
By Luciano Fioramonti
Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA)
February 6, 2021

“Digitalization creates a cultural flattening and makes it impossible not only for young artists, but also for small businesses to emerge. Why would someone need to listen to a Beethoven sonata performed by a young artist if they have great contemporary and past artists at their disposal?” Beatrice Rana, Italian piano star, acclaimed by major Italian and foreign theatres with` great conductors and prestigious orchestras, and also recognized for the best solo instrument album at the International Classical Music Award, sees a compromised future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beatrice Rana, a 28-year-old accomplished pianist from Salento, shares her concerns regarding the devastating effects of the pandemic for classical artists. “It is difficult for me to imagine a post-pandemic scenario. The world of culture will be tried economically, but we have to preserve the entire ecosystem of businesses that are also based in small towns and provinces. If only the best survive then the cultural losses will be immense.”

“The difficulties will continue. After the initial shock, we all found ourselves confined in our homes without anything to do. We had to learn to live with the pandemic and some things turned out to be more necessary than others. Unfortunately, I’m sorry to say it, music is not part of this nation’s basic necessities.” The real problem is that those who are suffering the most are the young people. “For them, it is crucial to play for the public and to be known. Prior to last year, it was already difficult because Italy had never particularly invested in talented young people. Now everything is more complicated. Also, on an educational level, distance learning leaves more time. Music is a discipline for artists with a strong physical component that, in these conditions, is reduced to none.”

To view the article in Italian, click here.