Finding the Story in the Silence: An Interview with Ron Adelaar
As we begin to lift the curtain on the artists who will grace the stage of Piano Revenge Days Vienna this October, we are honored to start with a musician for whom the piano is not just an instrument, but a vessel for memory, emotion, and human connection.
Meet Ron Adelaar. For over four decades, the Dutch pianist and composer has woven a quiet, persistent thread of neoclassical and meditative music through his life – from the church organs of his youth in Amersfoort, played alongside his father, to the intimate home studio where his contemporary compositions now come to life. His is a music born not from complex theory, but from a single, honest take at the piano, capturing a feeling before it fades.
Ron’s work exists at the intersection of stillness and storytelling. Whether drawing inspiration from a life-changing pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, or transforming the personal narratives of strangers into the deeply affecting album Your Story, My Music, his art is a testament to the power of listening – both to the world and to ourselves. As an A&R manager for the Andante Piano label, he is also a dedicated curator of this very soundscape.
For Piano Revenge Days, a festival built on independence, intimacy, and the raw magic of live performance, Ron Adelaar is a perfect first voice. He represents the belief that piano music, at its core, is about creating a shared space where an audience can pause, breathe, and feel.
We invite you to read his reflections on music, memory, and the timeless allure of Vienna, as we prepare to welcome him this October.
Welcome to Piano Revenge Days Vienna, Ron!
1. On Musical Background
PRM: “Every pianist has a unique story of how they first fell in love with the instrument. Could you share a bit about your musical journey? What first drew you to the piano, and who or what has been the most significant influence on your development as an artist?”
Music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can recall. I began playing the accordion at the age of nine, took up the organ at thirteen, and commenced my studies of the piano at sixteen. What truly drew me to the instrument was its remarkable capacity to convey emotion without the need for words. Even as a child, I was captivated by the ability of a simple melody to evoke atmosphere, stir memories, or offer comfort. Over the years, my relationship with the piano has grown increasingly personal and intuitive. I rarely begin a composition with a technical concept or a predetermined structure; rather, most of my pieces originate from a feeling, an image, or a moment drawn from life. I sit at the piano, improvise, and allow the music to unfold organically. Quite often, a piece is born from a single, unedited recording.
As an artist, I draw inspiration from nature, travel, silence, family, and conversations with those I encounter. Musically, composers such as Stephan Moccio, Ludovico Einaudi, Nils Frahm, and Ólafur Arnalds have demonstrated that piano music can be both intimate and cinematic in equal measure. Yet perhaps the greatest influence of all has been life itself – the stories, the emotions, and the experiences that shape us as human beings.
2. On Your Piano Art & Compositions
PRM: “Your work as a pianist and composer is deeply personal. Could you tell us about the artistic journey behind the pieces you will be performing at Piano Revenge Days? What emotions or stories are you hoping to share with the audience through your piano art?”
The music I will perform during Piano Revenge Days reflects the different chapters of my personal and artistic journey. Some pieces were inspired by nature and travel, others by family, memories, or encounters with people who shared their stories with me. Last year, a big inspiration for my music has been my Camino journey from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. Walking for weeks through landscapes, villages, silence and reflection had a deep impact on me, both personally and creatively. I will perform a composition related to my Camino experiences.
What I hope to share with the audience is not only music, but emotion and connection. I always try to create an atmosphere where people can pause for a moment, breathe, reflect, and perhaps recognize something of their own story in the music. During my concerts, I also enjoy sharing the stories behind the compositions, because I believe music becomes even more meaningful when people understand where it comes from.
3. On the Piano Revenge Days Project & Piano Revenge Festival
PRM: “Piano Revenge Festival is a unique, hundred percent independent event that brings together artists and audiences in intimate, rare and beautiful settings. What drew you to this project? What do you find special about being part of a festival where the focus is purely on art, community, and the love of piano music?”
What immediately drew me to the Piano Revenge Festival was its authenticity and independence. In a world so heavily driven by numbers, algorithms, and commercial imperatives, it feels truly special to be part of a festival that is centered purely on artistic expression, human connection, and a shared love of piano music. I am also particularly fond of the intimate character of the event. Piano music, I believe, is at its most powerful in smaller settings, where there exists a genuine closeness between artist and audience. Such moments can become profoundly meaningful and deeply memorable.
For me, music is not solely about performing; it is also about forging connections between people from different countries, backgrounds, and walks of life. Festivals like this remind us why live music remains so essential – especially in an age of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Live music brings everyone in the room together, sharing the same emotion and the same experience in real time. I am also very much looking forward to meeting my fellow pianists.
4. On the City of Vienna
PRM: “Vienna is a city with an unparalleled musical legacy – from Mozart and Beethoven to the modern avant-garde. What does performing in the heart of the Innere Stadt, just steps from the Hofburg Palace, mean to you personally? How does the spirit of Vienna influence your music or your approach to this performance?”
Performing in Vienna feels particularly special to me. I have visited the city before and hold a deep affection for it. It is impossible not to sense the rich musical history of Vienna as you walk through the Innere Stadt. So many legendary composers and musicians found inspiration there, and that legacy instills a profound sense of humility and gratitude. Of course, my music belongs to a very different era and style from the great classical masters associated with Vienna; nevertheless, I believe that the emotional core of piano music always remains timeless. Whether it is Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, or Strauss, or contemporary neoclassical piano music, it ultimately comes down to one thing: touching people emotionally. I feel that Vienna is a city where art, culture, and history are still deeply cherished. Performing there encourages me to be fully present and to approach the concert not merely as a performance, but as a meaningful musical experience to be shared with the audience.
5. On Future Projects & Dreams
PRM: “Looking beyond this October, what are the dreams or projects that are currently inspiring you? Is there a particular composition you hope to complete, a collaboration you are dreaming of, or a musical boundary you are eager to explore next?”
At the moment, I am deeply inspired by projects that combine music with storytelling and human connection. One of the projects closest to my heart is an album based on personal stories shared by people from all walks of life. In 2025, I released my album Your Story, My Music, which features six compositions rooted in these narratives. I also performed each piece live for the individual whose story inspired it. Transforming emotions and life experiences into piano music is something I find profoundly meaningful.
I am also continuing to explore the connection between art and travel through music composition. Last year, I visited and performed in Canada alongside a Canadian pianist and friend. Together, we worked on a new album inspired by Canadian paintings. More recently, my Camino-inspired music has opened up a new creative direction for me, and I would love to develop this further in future recordings and live performances.
In addition, collaborations with other musicians never fail to inspire me. Working with them often brings unexpected colors and emotions into the music, and I greatly enjoy these creative exchanges. More than anything, my hope is simply to continue creating music that genuinely connects with people. If listeners find comfort, peace, recognition, or emotion through my piano music, then I feel I have achieved something truly valuable.
