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The Croatian pianist who came to Hong Kong for more than twice, is back with a new materials. This time, not just in one style. ‘Variations Part I & II’ is the latest album from Maksim, which contains the different sounds from the ‘Piano Player’. Part I, which he combines classical pieces with techno and other dance elements; while Part II, is where you can discover more about his classical roots. To know more about what Maksim has been up to, HKClubbing.com brings you the latest interview, here…
A: Hi, tell us where you are now!
M: I’m in Šibenik in Croatia, my home country.
A: How’s it going there?
M: Very good, yeah, the summer’s still here, so it’s very nice.
A: So what have you been doing lately?
M: Well, after I finished my Croatian concert tour, which I had 11 non-stop concerts, I started to record my second album, and just last week., we finished recording the last piece of recording for my new album.
A: So the brand new album is ready for a release?
M: Yes, we have a world premiere on the 28th of this month (September) in Tokyo. After that, the CD will be set.
A: Now as we’re talking about you being in Tokyo, any chance for us to see you in Hong Kong soon?
M: Well I definitely hope so! I would say… I would presume… because we don’t know yet… the (definite) date for my promotion, but I would say probably around the middle of November.
A: That’s great! Because we all miss you here!
M: Yeah! I miss Hong Kong too! Very much!
A: The last record, ‘The Piano Player’, was a 12 weeks number 1 in Hong Kong, it also went double platinum and still going. How are you gonna shock the fans this time?
M: Well this one has a new feature, I think. It’s quite interesting. We call it ‘Variations Part 1 & Part 2’, basically because the first part is the crossover part, and it’s quite similar to the first album I did, but we used a different producer. And the second part basically is just classical music. The other pieces which I recorded from my classical repretor, and I recorded it with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London. I think it’s good, because there’s an opportunity for my fans to choose which part they like the best, either the classical or crossover.
A: After the last tour that you did, is Maksim any different now?
M: Eh… I hope not. (Giggle)
A: As we’re talking about the new CD, I have a sampler of about 6 tracks. There’s a song called ‘Pag Rag’, which I believe is one of your own ones!
M: Yes. It’s the first piece that I’ve composed. And I did it 2 years before. It’s basically a re-creation of one of the themes from Paganini. It’s very famous, and I took the theme and made 5 variations of it.
A: Any personal favorites from the new album?
M: It’s hard to say, there are so many pieces which I really like. Probably one, which is quite different, it’s ‘Totentanz’. It’s different because it’s for the first time we’re putting the choir among the production and the piano. And it sounds really really great.
A: Are we ever gonna hear Maksim sing?
M: (LOL) sometimes I sing when I’m among my friends, when I come to creations. But… yeah… but it will stay there. I won’t go into a studio or something like that. Nah!
A: Plans coming up?
M: Well, after my world premiere, I think I will have a promotion. And basically we still don’t know the time and date, but I think there will be a lot of promotions. I think America (tour) is coming February next year… so a lot of work to do.
A: Well good luck! And hope to see you soon in Hong Kong!
M: Thank you very much and I’ll see you in Hong Kong!
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