This 18-Year-Old Pianist Is Making His Carnegie Hall Debut
Most pianists get their start in adulthood, but 18-year-old Steinway artist Thomas Nickell is crescendoing past the status quo.
Nickell, a New York native with over 30 concert performances under his belt, will be debuting his official solo performance at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 26th. While the pianist has been playing Mozart by ear from the age of five, fashion is something he's just beginning to appreciate. In advance of the premiere, Nickell underwent a week-long make-over with the help of a veteran styling team.
"It was interesting to look at all of these different outfits and how much preparation goes into it," he said. "Even the way that people think about the clothes that you wear."
In person, Nickell's attire would never give anything away; he appears unassumingly suave in a slim-fitting blazer. His wardrobe makeover stylist, Chris Campbell, pulled looks from Gucci, Brunello Cuccinelli, and Dolce Gabbana to create a "pop star meets classical music" persona. Additionally, a made to measure tuxedo came straight from the Tom Ford boutique, where Milan master tailor Arthur Borges personally worked with the musician.
Indisputably talented, Nickell has started recording his own album, a collection of music that ranges from the classics to his own compositions. The soft-spoken teenager is modest, however. Before jumping into any piece, he explained his methodic research on the time period and the composer's mindset.
"I think it's important to understand the history, what's going on politically, what's happening personally, and what happened before and after in their music," said Nickell.
Nickell will be presenting David Matthews's "Piano Concerto, Op. 1" with conductor David Curtis and the Orchestra of the Swan this Sunday. He's not too anxious, though. It's pretty nerving, he mused, but all of his performances have been memorable and happy. The pianist also has a supportive fan base - daunting it may be to connect millennials with classical music.
"Well some of my friends probably accuse me of rambling on sometimes. Especially my girlfriend, because whenever I find some new piece I just go on about it," he said. "But they're very supportive and always happy to listen."
Nickell is currently enrolled at the New School, Mannes College of Music, studying piano with J Y Song.
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