Crossover artist Maksim Mrvica woos hearts in a solo Valentine's Day concert, kickstarting his latest 'The Collection' Asia tour in Malaysia. In a Tatler exclusive, he talks about his music and life
Maksim Mrvica, adorned with tattoos and dressed in a casual punk-rock ensemble, towers at six foot nine—looking unlike the classical musician stereotype. At the age of 16, when the Croatian war of independence began in 1991, Mrvica sought refuge with his loved ones and music teacher Marija Šekso in a bomb shelter, where he spent hours playing the piano, finding solace amidst the chaos above ground.
Despite the ongoing war, Mrvica participated in his first major piano competition in Croatia's capital city, Zagreb, in 1993, which he won. In the same year, he joined the University of Zagreb's academy of music where he studied under renowned chamber musician Professor Vladimir Krpan, who was once a student of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.
Five years later, Mrvica spent a year at the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary, where he won first place at the Nikolai Rubenstein International Piano Competition. At the age of 24, he released his first CD under British record label EMI Records.
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More than 20 years and 13 albums later, Mrvica's passion for music remains steadfast. Known for his vivid and experimental approach to his concerts, he has travelled the world extensively and has recently resumed touring after a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.
During a press conference held in the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur last February for his The Collection Asia tour, Mrvica spoke about his foray into crossover music in the early 2000s. He said: "When I started making crossover music, my manager told me to care less about what others thought of my music if I wanted to create the music I desired. Classical music has always been my foundation and it has been a source of comfort for me as I grew up. Although the genre doesn't need to change to stay relevant, I believe that crossover music helps bridge a connection with the youth."
Read on to discover more about this globally renowned virtuoso.
In previous interviews, you mentioned that you were introduced to the piano at your friend's house. What made you choose the piano over other classical instruments?
I was eight years old when my friend Aleksander showed me the piano at his house. I was fascinated by the instrument from the moment I saw it and I asked my mom if she could enrol me in music classes. I started taking lessons when I was nine. None of my friends or family were involved in the music industry or listened to classical music at that time, but I just loved it.
Can you name a piece that best represents your hometown of Šibenik in Croatia and Malaysia?
For Šibenik, it would be the Croatian Rhapsody because it includes elements of Croatian national music and depicts my country at its finest. As for Malaysia, perhaps Flight of the Bumblebee because it strikes me as eclectic, colourful, and dynamic.
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