Even as a small child, he would sit at one of his parents’ pianos, improvising, playing by ear, and teaching himself how to play. “I have a sound in my mind and then work on making it tangible,” says Julius Asal. His concept of sound has not only made him an outstanding pianist but also earned him a place as a personally selected scholar in Sir András Schiff’s mentoring program, “Building Bridges.”

For his second appearance at the Klavier-Festival Ruhr, Julius Asal has chosen the theme “Hommage à Ravel.” In addition to works by Ravel himself, he will present Johannes Brahms’ *Four Ballades* as well as Sergei Rachmaninoff’s *13 Préludes.* “Julius Asal’s piano playing immediately left me in awe. The instrument seemed to whisper a secret to him,” said piano legend Menahem Pressler about Julius Asal. And we can certainly look forward to being just as captivated.

Photo: Michael Reinicke