Performance Journal - Accompany with Singers

Today’s lunchtime concert was a rewarding experience accompanying singers at the piano. Accompanying always feels different from solo playing. My attention is not only on my own part, but also on listening carefully, supporting the singers, and breathing and shaping the music together with them.

During the performance, there was a small but challenging moment. While turning pages between movements, the soprano entered about two bars earlier than I expected. Oh, I was still turning the page.

There was no time to stop or react visibly. I had to adjust immediately, stay calm, and listen closely. I followed the singer forward by playing the 3rd bar after the page turn, caught the harmony, and realigned the accompaniment so the musical flow could continue as smoothly as possible.

Fortunately, the adjustment was subtle enough that it likely went unnoticed. From the outside, the performance continued smoothly, which is always the goal.

This moment reminded me that accompanying is not only about preparation, but also about awareness and flexibility in real time. Even with careful practice, things can shift unexpectedly on the stage. What matters most is maintaining the flow of music in a natural and supportive way for the singers and the audience.

“Accompanying is not about avoiding mistakes, but about staying present, listening deeply, and keeping the music flowing together.”

https://youtu.be/yWDj2jSf5RE

Watch the performance excerpt on YouTube: Stabat Mater I. Stabat mater XII. Amen by Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736)

Overall, the experience was very positive. Playing with singers creates a strong sense of collaboration. It requires constant listening, adjusting, and shaping phrases together, with a shared musical direction and trust.

In the end, this small incident became a valuable reminder: in performance, it is not about avoiding every mistake, but about responding quickly and musically so the performance can continue seamlessly.