Poetic piano sounds: floating above everything – that's the sound of boundless freedom.
"2020/21 were two very difficult years for me," says pianist and composer Hauke Kranz. The pandemic also affected the northern German musician, and it took some time for her to let go of the fear and frustration, take a deep breath, and find space for music in her life again. "Sounds suddenly emerged from the silence within me."
Kranz has had an unusual musical journey that has led her to this point, to her third album as a "keyboard whisperer." She has been playing the piano since the age of four, later studying music, taking part in competitions, touring for years solo, with orchestras, and with chamber music groups. But it wasn't the life that fulfilled her. "The pressure to perform, comparing myself to the competition, and my own high expectations of myself eventually caused me to lose myself completely and burn out," says Kranz. "I consciously said goodbye to being an artist." It was a difficult step, but it opened up new spaces of freedom. And within this space, she ultimately rediscovered her love of piano music and began composing herself—with great feeling, without pressure. She defines her style as "poetic piano."
"Beyond Boundaries" is a logical continuation of the "keyboard whisperer" from near Bremen's previous musical work – and, after "A New Dawn" and "Open Skies," her third solo album. Her piano sounds are delicate, poetic, and touching. Stylistically reminiscent of the Romantic compositions of Robert Schumann and Frédéric Chopin, and often also of film scores by Ludovico Einaudi and Max Richter – but more modern, personal, and emotional.
The piano virtuoso pursues a mission with her work: her music is meant to heal the soul and inspire courage; it is warm and meditative, coming straight from the heart. But the impact of her compositions is only possible thanks to Kranz's immense talent and professional training. She has, as she puts it, found a comfortable niche "between two stools"—her original compositions don't quite fit into the classical music category, while in popular music, a solo piano player is something of a rarity. But wonderful music transcends genres and will always find its audience. This is evident in the fact that many fans supported the album recordings through crowdfunding. And according to Hauke Kranz, that's precisely the idea behind "Beyond Boundaries": "Have the courage to follow your vision and move forward step by step—everything is possible!"
