Pianist finds magic in Mozart's music

A Journey Through Music and Mozart

John Wilson's story is one of serendipity and passion. At the age of 12, he had no prior musical training, but something compelled him to explore the piano. His only experience with music had been playing the trombone in a marching band, which he did reluctantly. Yet, after receiving a cheap light-up keyboard from his parents, an unexpected moment changed the course of his life.

"I'll never forget it," he said. "I hit a button. It played back a Mozart sonata. I played it back after one hearing, and I had never played the piano before." That simple act sparked a lifelong love for music, particularly for the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Over the years, Wilson’s talent has taken him around the world, but his devotion to Mozart remains unwavering. This week, he will perform as part of the 51st Midsummer Mozart Festival, a celebration of Mozart's orchestral masterpieces. The festival includes performances at three different venues:

• 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Berkeley City Club
• 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma
• 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga

Guest conductor Ryan Murray, making his debut at the festival, expressed his excitement about working with Wilson. "Piano Concerto No. 23 might be my favorite of the later piano concertos. The second movement is one of the most poignant and beautiful things Mozart ever wrote. I'm so looking forward to performing this with John. The piece has wonderful features for both the soloist and the orchestra."

Admission prices range from $25 to $91, depending on the show. Tickets can be purchased online at midsummermozart.org.

Wilson’s performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 is a testament to his deep connection with the composer. He describes the piece as one of Mozart’s most beloved works, recognized by audiences worldwide. "I'm truly thrilled to share my interpretation of this beautiful and deeply moving piece," he said.

In addition to his festival appearances, Wilson continues to be an active performer in the symphonic world. He regularly performs with the Marin Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. Since winning the principal piano position in the Marin Symphony in 2022, he has become a prominent figure in the orchestra, appearing not only in full ensemble performances but also in chamber music and as a concerto soloist.

This season, he will join the Marin Symphony for its November concerts featuring two Liszt piano/orchestral works: Hungarian Fantasy and Totentanz. Tod Brody, executive director of the Marin Symphony Association, praised Wilson’s contributions to the orchestra. "John Wilson has become one of the orchestra's most prominent and beloved musicians, performing not only with the orchestra but also in chamber music and as a concerto soloist."

Exploring the Depths of Mozart

Wilson’s relationship with Mozart has evolved over the years. "When you play his music, you can't help but feel happier," he explained. "Mozart's one of those handful of composers where no matter what you play in the output, you sense the genius. You sense the joy. It's like you can feel his love of music."

He also shared insights into how he approaches interpreting Mozart’s work. "There's something so perfect about Mozart that you just feel like you're dealing with this thing that is on the verge of breaking. But if you can somehow show it to a listener in its pure, perfect form, you really feel Mozart at his best."

Wilson also emphasized the timeless nature of Mozart’s music. "Emotion in music is not time-specific because human beings are always human beings. If you can present it in a way that's honest to when he was writing it and then somehow bring a piece of you without getting in the way of Mozart, you can have a nod to the past and a nod to the present."

From Jazz to Classical

Wilson’s journey into music began with jazz. "I started late when I was 12, and I didn't have many years before the auditions for college came up. At that point, I had to make a decision: classical or jazz?" For a time, he balanced both worlds, even forming a jazz trio. However, exposure to Broadway and classical music gradually shifted his focus toward classical performance.

"Even now, I play jazz shows at jazz clubs in San Francisco once or twice a month," he said. "My family would always take me to Broadway shows on the weekends. I would go into New York for lessons. My uncle, a huge Broadway fan, would take me to these shows. So I actually have a really big underpinning of Broadway and jazz."

Lessons from a Mentor

One of Wilson’s most influential mentors was Michael Tilson Thomas, whom he met in 2015 while a fellow at the New World Symphony. "Boy, can he put on a show," Wilson recalled. "He would always say, 'Don't forget that you could smile onstage, and it actually might make the sound better.' If I'm into the music, I'll be doing entertaining things."

Upcoming Performances

Beyond the Midsummer Mozart Festival, Wilson has several other engagements planned. He will perform at the San Francisco Philharmonic's "Beethoven Triple Concerto" show at 7:30 p.m. on October 4 at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Additionally, he will appear with the Marin Symphony for its "Masterworks 1: Liszt & Brahms" concerts on November 8 and 9 at College of Marin's James Dunn Theatre in Kentfield.

For more information on tickets and events, visit marinsymphony.org, sfphil.org, and johnwilsonpiano.com. His music is also available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.