by Michela Ianniciello
He scored his best goal on the black and white keys: Pedro López Salas, a Spanish pianist born in 1997, transformed an inspiration sparked by a famous piano scene from Tom & Jerry into a promising career. His musical breakthrough came at the age of 9, when he gave up soccer to devote himself entirely to music. Since then, his talent and dedication have led him to stand out in numerous competitions, including the Malta International Piano Competition and the Spanish Composers International Piano Competition, as well as the prestigious second place at the Paderewski International Competition. We met him following his participation in the Cremona Musica International Exhibitions and Festival 2025, where he presented a program entirely dedicated to Chopin in preparation for the Chopin Competition to be held in Warsaw in October.
How did your family react to this musical choice?
They were incredible. My father was initially a little disappointed because he wanted me to become a footballer like him, but then he realized it wasn’t my path, and I immediately had their full support. From the very first moment, I discovered I loved it: after just a week, or even less, I already knew I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. Everything came together very quickly, and having perfect pitch definitely helped me in the initial phase of my studies.
Spanish music is very present in your repertoire. How do you showcase it?
I feel a great responsibility in representing my country, but also an immense joy. I always try to include something that represents my roots in my programs, even just a short sonata by Antonio Soler, and every time I feel at home. For this occasion, I presented an entirely Chopin program in anticipation of the important challenge I will face next month.
What do you think about piano competitions and how do you approach preparation?
Competitions offer international visibility and are a driving force for artistic and personal growth. Self-criticism and attention to detail profoundly improve you. I approach them like a recital, always focusing on musicality rather than virtuosity. Psychological pressure is inevitable, especially for competitions like the one in Warsaw, but over time, everyone finds their own way to manage emotions on stage. Regarding preparation, the key aspect for me is playing slowly: it seems simple, but it requires maximum concentration to focus and choose the sound of each individual note. This meticulous approach allows me to bring to life the same magic that captivated me as a child in front of the screen!
