Ron Lopata: Andante Piano Studio Session (Piano Day 2024)
Ron Lopata visits us in Amsterdam to celebrate Piano Day together. Here's how it went!
Tip: listen to 'Een Nieuw Begin (Frans)' while reading this article.
70-year-old Frans and his partner, Ergül, sat close by the piano, their eyes filled with anticipation as they waited for Ron Adelaar to play the first notes. They knew that the song wasn’t just for them but it was created with them.
As Ron’s hands lifted from the keys and the final chords faded into silence, Frans murmured, “Beautiful,” his voice thick with emotion. He raised his hand and gently brushed away tears before they traced down his cheeks. Ergül reached over, stroking his hair, and they exchanged a quiet, heartfelt smile.
They had just listened to 'Een Nieuw Begin' for the first time. For Ron, that was the first song reveal of the very first single from his upcoming album 'Jouw Verhaal, Mijn Muziek' ("Your Story, My Music”).
The album is a collection of six piano compositions inspired by the heartfelt, personal stories people shared with Ron Adelaar after his public invitation through social media. The first single is about Frans's story.
Frans’s life took a heartbreaking turn when his wife fell ill unexpectedly and passed away within just a few short weeks. The suddenness of her illness and the brevity of her final days left him with little time to process what was happening, plunging him into a period of intense grief and disorientation. His wife had been his partner since he was fifteen, and losing her so abruptly was both a profound shock and a devastating void. Their lives had been so closely intertwined that, in the wake of her passing, Frans found himself struggling to understand how to continue alone.
As he navigated this dark period, Frans was supported by a circle of people who reached out to help him cope, including Ergül, a friend who offered a caring presence when he needed it most. Over time, the bond between them grew into a new relationship, offering Frans a lifeline back to joy and stability. Through his relationship with his new partner, he found a renewed zest for life.
Ron Adelaar transformed this story into a powerful piece, taking time to visit Frans and truly listen to his journey and emotions. Ron opens the piece with a melancholic melody, looking back at a life filled with loss and learning. The music then brightens with hope and new love, a growing trust in embracing life once more.
Each piece Ron composes for the project is inspired by these personal stories and dedicated to them—offering support, comfort, joy, and hope. The artist invited people to share their experiences and feelings about love, joy, sorrow, life’s questions, and struggles, seeking to connect his music to these emotions. This is true co-creation, as Ron weaves his audience’s stories into the very fabric of his music. Together with Daan Börger, the videographer of the whole project, they document this journey, capturing the profound connection between music and shared human experience.
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Ron Adelaar
Andante Piano
Ron Lopata visits us in Amsterdam to celebrate Piano Day together. Here's how it went!
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At Andante Piano, we believe in the transformative power of piano music to offer comfort and a respite from the demands of modern life. Inspired by the rich traditions of our home city, Amsterdam, we collaborate with pianists from around the world to compose and release pieces that blend the timeless elegance of the piano with a modern twist. Wherever you are and whatever the time of day, our music aims to create a tranquil space for you to find inner peace.