As a child, NZ soul singer-songwriter Louis Baker listened to whatever music his parents put on – everything from Schubert, and Chopin to psychedelic rock.
Louis Baker Photo: The Property Pilots 2017
Now a successful singer-songwriter, Louis Baker still loves classical music and in RNZ Concert's classical music countdown Settling the Score, he’ll be voting for a Chopin piano prelude, Prelude in E minor.
- What pieces inspire you? Vote in RNZ Concert's annual listener favourites poll 'Settling the Score'
“It just washes over you… I find it deep and beautiful, sad and bright,” Louis says. It's a description that could easily apply to his own, soul-influenced music.
“I think I might have been about five or six… Mum probably had it on tape. I’ve got lots of different memories of listening to music at that age.”
It’s the ending of the piece that leaves Louis with a particular impression: “It’s sort of like a question’s been asked… then it feels for a second like there’s a shining light.”
But the overall feeling of the Prelude in E minor almost leaves Louis lost for words: “It’s just a deep, beautiful, rich piece… it’s hard to describe.”
Related:
Louis recently released this extended cut of his song "Black Crow" for Mental Health Awareness Week.
