Queenz of piano

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Queenz of piano- Two girls who make classical music fun again

Interview conducted on November 17, 2020

By Dan Locke

Jennifer Rüth was born in Würzburg. She began to attend piano courses at Würzburg conservatory at the age of 16, and after graduation from academical high school she studied the piano in Würzburg and in Tarragona (Spain).

Ming is a classical pianist, born in Hanover and raised in Hamburg (Germany), her parents are from South Korea. She studied at the conservatories in Lübeck (junior student at the age of 13), Rostock and Bern (Switzerland) and is a multiple first prizewinner of Steinway & Sons Competition Hamburg and jugend musiziert (federal level).

The Queenz of Piano are at home at the most renowned venues and classical music festivals. Their energetic stage show and their charming presentation style have made them a talking point internationally (in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, England, Portugal, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria), and they now present their show in four different languages.

What is your upbringing?

Jenny: I grew up in a small southern German village with my parents and little sister. Music was always part of the family because my mother was a music teacher.
Ming: I grew up in northern Germany in Hamburg with my parents and two sisters. My parents are from South Korea and love classical music very much.
We both learned the piano at a very young age, did piano competitions, and practiced many hours a day.

How did you discover music?

We both started playing the piano at the age of 6 at a music school. At the age of 14, we both were chosen for a scholarship to study the piano as so-called „young students“ at the university of music in our home towns. We both love classical music, won several competitions, and were meant to become a classical pianist. But we also listened and danced to pop music like „normal“ teenagers do. I (Jenny) studied Jazz Singing and played in Jazzbands. Ming played electronic guitar in a punk band. Later on we played in different pop or classical crossover projects like „Salut Salon“ or „Adoro“. In our program, we combine these different musical genres with show elements.

How did you start to write music?

Already as children, we composed easy melodies on the piano. Later we experimented with synthesizers for additional sounds and beats. When studying at the university music composition and arrangement was part of our education.
Besides arrangements of pop songs and combinations between different musical genres, it is also part of our musical language to compose by ourselves. So it just came naturally to integrate four original songs on our new album.

Ming you toured with Jocelyn B. Smith Seed and with the classic pop quartet Adoro. Tell me about how it was touring during that time?

In all the classical concerts I did so far, there was total silence until the end of a piano piece and the applause started, when everybody was really sure, that the piece has ended. Performing with these great and famous artists, the direct interaction with the audience was so impressive to me. Having a much more faster, intensive, direct response, and the reaction of the audience, I decided to work more in that direction.

How did you meet?

Queenz of Piano (credit: Ben Wolf | Artwork: Dirk Rudolph)

In 2009 I (Jennifer) was looking for a pianist for my piano duet. I did a research and had a look at Mings’s Website. „Berlins coolest pianist“ that sounds good, “ I thought, „but maybe she is too busy.“ So I didn`t contact her. But I made a little notice in a notebook I am using for many years for creative ideas or anything that has to do with Queenz of Piano. In 2017 again I was in the situation to look for a new duet partner and found this little notice from 2009. And this time I called Ming. I told her about our plans for recording a new album and our collaboration with Mousse T. (Tom Jones, Sexbomb). Our first meeting was very special because it was 10 days before the birth of my daughter. I could hardly walk anymore. We really liked each other from the first moment on, both of us love the music we do. And we also managed the time with a baby on tour as a perfect team. We are really thankful for this little notice from 2009.

How did you come up with your name- Queenz of Piano?

To be honest finding a good name was quite a challenge for us and took ages. At the end we decided to call us Queenz of Piano. „Queenz“ not to be meant arrogant but with a twinkle in the eye. The „z“ to make it sound modern. And „piano“ to make it clear tor everybody that we don`t play the (fucking) recorder 😉

What was your first performance together like?

Our first concert was an Open Air Concert at an old castle in Hamburg, Germany. Two pianos in front of a river. The atmosphere was amazing, quite romantic in the sunset with a cool Northern-Germany summer breeze and birds singing and responding to our songs. A concert you will never forget.

What makes a good songwriter?

Having a soul, having something to say. Knowledge in composing, music theory, and arranging helps, but it is no condition for composing music that touches. In my eyes.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

The title of our first original song was „Two Roads“. The Songtext is an adaption of Robert Frost’s poem „The Roads not taken“, which was very inspiring for us. We recorded this song for our new album.

Tell me about your classical music That Rock Live Tour. What was the idea behind it?

We believe that classical music rocks as much as rock & pop music. Johann Sebastian Bach has as much groove and rhythmic energy as and AC/DC`s Thunderstruck. In our show, we combine the virtuosity and depth of classical music with the atmosphere of a pop concert to break the boundaries between Bach and Beats on two grand pianos. We integrate innovative ways of playing the piano like plucking and bowing the strings in order to get creative sounds out of the piano and to imitate instruments like drums and guitars. We also sing in our concerts and have a lot of interaction with the audience. We also integrate live visuals and electronic sounds to make it a piano concert of modern times!

Have you ever heard any feedback from any artist in which you used their music within your performance?

Not so far. But we would really be interested how Sting would like our Mash Up of Shape of my heart and Chopin`s Nocturne.

You released your CD “Queenz of Piano”, during the lockdown. Did you have trouble getting the word of about it since you could not tour?

It is really not the best time to release a new album during the lockdown. Parts of our promotion tour, interviews with radio stations and magazines had to be postponed to autumn 2020 or even to 2021. But we were lucky to do at least some interviews and TV-Shows which helped a lot to reach the people. Last week we made it to Number 3 of the Amazon Classical Charts and had very much support from our fans.

What is your favorite track on the album?

It depends on our mood and changes from day today. „Thunderstruck“ and „Smells like teen Spirit“ are very energetic and virtuos. Very good for rocking the stage at home. Our original songs „December Song“, „On the Fly“, „Reminiscence“ are perfect for relaxing days with their calm-down and atmospheric mood. If you like to sing along to a nice pop song „2 Roads“ is a good decision. But I also like our version of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of you. My little 2-year old daughter starts dancing at once.

How do you stay healthy while touring?

In general enough sleep is very important for us. As we travel most of the tour by train we always wear warm clothing in winter. During corona times we have very strict hygenic rules in Germany. So luckily the virus didn`t catch us so far.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

I have mixed feelings about streaming music. My first CD was Michael Jacksons Thriller. I was 14 years old and listened to this CD for two months long while having the booklet in my hands, studying every word until I knew it by heart. For me listening to music via streaming platforms feels much more unpersonal.
For artists, the selling of physical CDs and merch products is a real source of income, especially during these times. In contrast to this, the payment you get from streaming platforms is vanishingly small and doesn’t feel appropriate.
On the other hand, the streaming platforms are helpful to reach a bigger and also international audience. Our version of „Smells like teen Spirit“ made it to a very popular playlist „Classical goes pop“ on Spotify. At once the streaming numbers exploded and we got new followers from all over the world.

Ming- Have you had the chance to tour South Korea?

Not yet so far. We went on a five-week tour to China, and also to Taiwan.
I love playing in Asia. The Asian audience is very interested in western classical music. And especially in China, there were so many children at our concerts which I appreciated very much.

Digital vs. Vinyl?

Both! Digital to make it practical to use in every situation. Vinyl for evenings with a bottle of wine.

I love your blackout Tuesday logo. Who came up with the idea? What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?

It was our idea because we wanted to post something more individual with a message: On the piano, you find black and white keys in a very harmonic coexistence. A scale, a chord, a musical piece consists of black and white keys. No one without the other.

We watch what happens in the United States quite concerned. The country seems to be divided more and more and we deeply hope that the politicians of the next period will recreate a basis for people to be treated equally and to feel that they live in a country of peace and justice.

You had to reschedule your tour. And now you just played your first show. How was it? How did you feel once you hit the stage?

We felt like two wild tigers that were let out of the cage after half a year of imprisonment. Full of adrenaline, power, energy, and desire to finally play again. We miss that so much!

Next year you will be having a show with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestral. Is this your first open air big symphony orchestral concert?

Sorry, that`s a mistake. It is unfortunately not the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. That would be fantastic. We would love to play in New Zealand.
It is the Babelsberger Filmorchester and the Leipziger Symphony Orchestra we play with, only in Germany so far.

Do you think kids should go back to school?

Do you mean in corona times? In Germany kids go back to school again and switch temporarily to online lessons. So far it seems to work quite ok.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

It is „The bare necessities“ from The Jungle Book. My little daughter loves the music. So at the moment, it is our daily evening ritual to dance and sing along to the music. For me, it is not only a children`s song. I discovered the quality of this soundtrack. It has so many intelligent musical details. The composers must have loved their job. Besides it is heartwarming music and especially during these times on days where one concert after the other was cancelled this music helped me to smile, reflect on what is really important in life and to be still thankful for what we have.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

I estimate the affects for the music business immense if the corona vaccine
Don´t come very soon. In Germany many especially small theatres and music clubs already have to close permanently. So far culture and music were part of everyone`s life and I hope that people don`t get used to not going to cultural events and concerts anymore. In any case, I think when the theatres reopen the people will be still careful and reluctant in buying tickets. We artists will have to cope with the situation that we probably at least temporarily play for less audience which of course has a financial impact on the whole music business. So now it is the moment to use the time wisely and find alternative ways to express creativity.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

We worked on our program, recorded new songs, and are now planning to create new music videos. And we also got crazy about the idea of creating a Christmas program. Let´s see what happens.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Yes, we started to do some workouts and yoga. And also enjoyed our time outside in nature. I live near the bavarian alps and went on hiking tours more often. Ming went to these very nice lakes around Berlin very often during the summer.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

It is exactly as you say. I didn’t watch TV for about 2 years. So instead of zapping around, we choose the films and series more consciously. We use Amazon prime and i-tunes, also Netflix. But to be honest we don`t stream a lot.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live-streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?

For us artists, social media is not only a platform for personal and private issues but more and more an advertising vehicle. And these platforms earn a lot of money with the adverts artists do to reach old and new fans.
In these days artists lost their jobs from one day to another in most cases without getting any appropriate financial supply.
Social media and streaming platforms are able to make a lot of money with the creative work of artists. Now would be the time to give them something back and to find a way to support the artists during these times. It could be the time to develop more special programs or features for artists.

In addition. From October 24 onwards, you can no longer simply paste your links in WordPress to make your Facebook and Instagram content appear on your site. Will this affect how bands use Facebook?
How can bands keep their fans if they can not play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?

Maybe it is soon time for new platforms. Some years ago we all had a myspace- account. A platform you hardly remember nowadays.

Is pay to play still a thing?

We played the piano since the age of 6. We practiced like 8 hours a day. We studied piano and worked really hard to get the status of being an artist that can make a living out of it. Although we love what we do and although it is fun what we do it is also a lot of work and a job with many unpaid hours. As it is a job and not a hobby it should be paid fairly. As I further mentioned musicians aren`t paid fairly for their music on streaming platforms. So if live-concerts also only guarantee a „pay to play deal“ we artists would lose totally the appreciation and acceptance of our work.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Great and interesting idea! But I think it doesn’t replace real live-concerts.

The virus has caused the layoff of all the symphony orchestras in the United States. How do you see the Covid-virus affecting live symphony music?

I don`t know how it works in the US. In Germany, as members of symphonic orchestras have the status of state employees, they are at least financially supplied. But of course, they also have to deal with the situation as all artists during this time, to have temporarily lost your mission and a job you love.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

We can imagine doing something else temporarily, like teaching for example. But giving concerts and being an artist is our passion and it is what we love to do.

Anything you would like to say in closing.