‘Having anxiety was not debilitating.’ Being ashamed of it was – The Irish Times

The Spotlight and the Shadow: Jonathan Biss on Anxiety in the Music World

International concert pianist Jonathan Biss is renowned for his masterful interpretations of classical repertoire.
However, behind the polished performances and critical acclaim lies a personal struggle with anxiety that he is now steadfast to bring into the open.

The Pressure to Silence

“There was no single person in my life suggesting that I should lie about why I was cancelling concerts,” Biss recalls, reflecting on a time when a physical injury forced him to step back from performances. Yet, when his anxiety became overwhelming, the advice he received was starkly different.

“not one person suggested I tell the truth”. Instead, they recommended he pretend he had the flu.

This experience profoundly impacted Biss. “There is really no question to me that my feeling I had to suffer in silence wasn’t just me. It is the message people are getting from the world around us.”

Finding Resilience: Breaking the Cycle

biss is committed to breaking this silence and fostering a more supportive environment for musicians struggling with mental health issues. He recognizes the unique pressures inherent in the world of classical music,where perfectionism and self-reliance can frequently enough mask vulnerability.

Embracing a new Approach to Practice

Biss has also implemented changes in his own practice routine to manage his anxiety. “I’ve sort of moved in recent years away from quantity and towards, I hope, quality of practice,” he explains.Instead of long, marathon sessions punctuated by distractions, he now favors shorter, focused intervals.

He has also adopted an early morning practice schedule, attributing it to both his husband’s work routine and his own realization that his moast productive hours are in the quiet before the day begins.

The Duality of a Musical Life

Biss acknowledges the inherent tension in a musician’s life: the exhilaration of performance intertwined with the anxieties that can accompany it. “Emotional highs are an essential part of a professional musician’s life,which he describes “as one part dizzying to one part deadening” – concert halls v airport terminals.

The intensity of his commitment to Beethoven’s music, a composer he has long admired, pushed him to his limits. His enterprising project to record and perform all 32 concertos became a catalyst for both personal growth and emotional turmoil.

“The intensity and profundity and difficulty and sheer volume of music involved was overwhelming,” he writes in his memoir, “Unquiet”. ” I imagined it would be the most confronting and most fulfilling experience of my life. I joked in interviews that when it was over, I would retire, or die.

A Pause and a Turning Point

The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a sudden halt to his global performing schedule, inadvertently provided Biss with a crucial chance for introspection.During what he describes as a period of “quietly falling apart,” he was forced to confront the dissonance between his public persona and his internal struggles.

The enforced break from the spotlight became a catalyst for change, urging him to prioritize his mental well-being and re-evaluate his relentless pursuit of perfection.

The Importance of Honesty and Support

Jonathan Biss’s journey highlights the urgent need for open conversations about mental health within the music industry. His willingness to share his experiences serves as an inspiration to other artists who may be struggling in silence.

Biss advocates for a culture of support and understanding, where artists feel empowered to prioritize their well-being and seek help without fear of judgment or stigma.

what specific changes did Jonathan Biss make to his practice routine to manage his anxiety?

Archyde Interview: Jonathan Biss – Unraveling Anxiety in the World of Classical Music

Archyde was privileged to sit down with renowned concert pianist, Jonathan Biss, to discuss his personal journey with anxiety adn his commitment to fostering a more supportive environment for musicians grappling with mental health issues. A masterful interpreter of classical repertoire, Biss shares his insights on breaking silence and embracing resilience.

The Pressure to Silence

Archyde (A): Jonathan, you’ve spoken about the stark contrast between the reactions you received when you had to cancel concerts due to anxiety compared to those when you had a physical injury.Can you share more about that experience?

Jonathan Biss (JB): Absolutely. When I had a physical injury, the understanding and support were overwhelming. But when anxiety overwhelmed me, I found advice like, “Just say you’re sick,” and “Even if you’re 100%, you can’t perform.” No one suggested I tell the truth. It felt like a clear message that I should hide my anxiety.

A: That must have been incredibly isolating. What made you decide to break this silence?

JB: I realized that my experience wasn’t unique. Many musicians are struggling in silence,and we’re all sending the same message: ‘You’re alone with this.’ I decided I couldn’t be part of that cycle anymore. I had to speak up.

Finding Resilience: A New Approach to Practice

A: You’ve made significant changes to your practice routine to manage your anxiety.Can you walk us through that?

JB: Yes, I’ve shifted away from long, distracted practice sessions. Now, I prefer shorter, focused intervals. Early mornings have also become my ideal practice time. It’s quiet, and I’m most productive. Plus,it helps that my husband’s work routine syncs with it.

The Duality of a musical Life

A: You’ve described the musician’s life as a tension between exhilaration and anxiety.How have you navigated this duality, especially with your intensive Beethoven project?

JB: It was overwhelming at times. But it also pushed me to grow, both personally and musically. I realized that imbalance, that tension, is part of what makes this life so captivating and challenging.

Pause, Reflect, Rebound

A: The COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden halt to your global performances. How did this pause influence your journey with anxiety?

JB: It was a period of reflection and introspection. I was forced to confront the dissonance between my public persona and my internal struggles. It made me prioritize my mental well-being and re-evaluate my relentless pursuit of perfection.

Honesty, Support, and the Future of Classical Music

A: What advice would you give to fellow musicians struggling with similar issues?

JB: I would say, find your truth. You don’t have to share it with the world, but find it for yourself. And remember, no one is alone in this. We’re all here, supporting each other.

A: Jonathan, your advocacy for open conversations about mental health is inspiring. How do you envision the future of this discussion in the classical music world?

JB: I hope we’re moving towards a culture of support and understanding. I hope musicians feel empowered to prioritize their well-being and seek help without fear of judgment or stigma. That’s the future I’m committed to creating.