Pianist in tune for chart debut
A MUSIC teacher is hitting the right notes after his self-released album reached number three in the classical charts.
Pianist Manny Vass, 26, from Cale Green, released Sonic Waves last month and funded it with £2,500 raised through a Kickstarter internet campaign.
He has had his tracks previously played on the BBC as well as Classic FM and wants to make this type of music more accessible and listened to by a younger generation.
The achievement has been made more remarkable because as well as raising the funds himself. Manny also does all his own PR and marketing.
And last week, when the classical charts were announced, he had beaten albums from giant companies such as Decca and Sony.
Manny said: “It was the highest new entry and up there with the biggest classical names, it was a massive honour and I was shocked. I don’t feel I should be there really.
“One day I hope to have a record label but this proves that if you have something to say, are prepared to work hard and are determined you can do it.
“I’ve already started thinking about the next album, I’m looking at releasing one a year.”
Sonic Waves contains water-themed classical music from composers including Handel, Liszt and Chopin.
The cover shows Manny playing piano by the sea which is not a trick of the camera – the heavy instrument was driven onto a beach and then set up on sand covered boards.
Aside from performing and recording, Manny teaches the piano and lecturers in music marketing at Leeds College.
He first became interested in music when his dad, a carpenter, bought him a toy glockenspiel.
He has since gone on to perform in front of VIPs including the Prince of Monaco and graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2011.
Kickstarter fundraising allows people to donate online and be repaid in kind with either a copy of the album or a personal recital depending on how much is pledged.
Manny is currently in the middle of an 18-date national tour with performances in Alderley Edge and Sandbach to come.
He said: “I want to help get rid of the myth classical music isn’t accessible, I am a carpenter’s son if I can get into it anyone can.
“Pieces from the 15th and 16th centuries are still being performed and listened to today. Pop music is great but no one will be listening to music from today in 400 years time.
“My ambition is to continue to play classical music to as large an audience as possible.