The pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, 27, has an international career as a soloist and chamber musician, with forthcoming concerts in Lucerne, New York, Seoul and elsewhere. A regular duo partner with her cellist brother, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, she grew up in Nottingham, the eldest of seven siblings, all musicians. Her third solo album, Childhood Tales (Decca), was released in May. On 1 August she will make her BBC Proms solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
You’re about to play your first solo Prom. Exciting? Nerve-racking?
I’ve done two chamber music Proms before, one during Covid, without an audience, so to be in the Albert Hall in front of a large crowd is a really big thing in my career, and very exciting. I’m playing Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto – one of my favourites: completely crazy and very rhythmic. That’s something I relate to, the patterns and precision. As soloist in a concerto, however hard you prepare, you don’t know how it will be until you meet the orchestra and give the first performance. Luckily, I’ve had a chance to perform this piece several times, though this will be my first time with BBC NOW.
