Johnny Hachem or the rise of a gifted composer: Johnny Hachem is a Switzerland based composer and pianist, who was born in Lebanon to parents of musical backgrounds. His father played Violin while his mother had a great talent for Piano. He developed an impeccable ear refined over time listening carefully to his mom’s music. He grew up surrounded by sounds, music sheets as well chords which served an important role during his childhood years due to war-torn country’s complicated politics. However, whenever fire ceased he would play piano left handed even if it meant practicing alone! See additional information at Johnny Hachem.

There are two schools: one is to repeat accurately and punctually all the previously written compositions, the other is to improvise and feel free to find the inner connection to them. Which one do you favour more? Johnny Hachem:Honestly, both. That’s why most of my solo piano concerts are under the title of “Composition and improvisation recital”. The 21st century brought tremendous amount of digital music making tools, lately even softwares, AIs started to do the work of composing, mixing and truth to be told, the streaming services encourages everyone to release new songs every month or even more frequently. Obviously, there is the question of quality and originality, too. What about you? Can you see yourself as an everyday new song writing artist or integrity and authenticity must meet uniqueness and genuine originality?

As for learning piano and music composition, Johnny got his training from the Lebanese higher Conservatory of Music and earned a master’s degree with distinction. Since then, there has been no looking back for him. In fact, Johnny has been composing for more than 20 years and has produced music for orchestras and chamber music. Moreover, many symphony orchestras have been playing his compositions on the stages in various countries across the world.

Let’s have some fun: Douglas Adams said Bach invented blues. I tend to agree with him. What about you? Johnny Hachem: I definitely agree! For example, the American Jazz composer and pianist, the founder of the “Modern Jazz Quartet” was heavily influenced by Bach. He did a Jazz album of Bach compositions “Blues on Bach” and The American Jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter & composer Ornette Coleman did many solos on Bach’s Prelude in C major. For me, Bach is the father of all music genres.

Mingle Music UK, wrote about him: To his name, he has a piano concerto, clarinet concerto and a large variety of instrumental and orchestral compositions that have been performed in Lebanon and Europe. Johnny is also a professor at the Lebanese Higher National Conservatory of Music. He has achieved a Masters degree in composition with distinction. It is true that nurturing talent takes practice, dedication, willingness to sacrifice and, of course, determination to keep the goal clear, even when the spot gets tight. When it comes to utter devotion and perseverance, Johnny Hachem, a Lebanese-Ukrainian composer and pianist, is one musician who has proved that with hard work, you can achieve anything in life.

I was born into a musical family. My dad, who passed away 10 months ago, used to play violin and my mom the piano. I remember very well how beautiful it was to listen to them playing music together at home and in church. And I was influenced by them a lot. But when I was a child, we had war in Lebanon and it was difficult to attend the music school, so I put a lot of time into piano improvising and trying to make my own music. My mom started to help me and after that, when the war stopped, I started studying music officialy.