“It Felt as If I Could Hear Everyone Breathing”

Before pianist Farid Sheek plugged in the lights of his Christmas tree, he wished that his music would one day break through. Sometimes, wishes do come true. On October 13, his dream became reality: his own concert at De Doelen.

Since being discovered behind the piano at Central Plaza Rotterdam, things have moved quickly for the young pianist and composer: an interview, a piano of his own, a debut CD. One thing led to another, and soon he found himself sharing the stage with cellist Maya Fridman, opening for the Symfonieorkest Rijnmond at their lunchtime concert on February 24.

Never Nervous—Except at De Doelen

This first performance at De Doelen proved more nerve-racking than any other concert before. “I usually don’t feel stress, I’m never nervous when I perform. I expected it would be the same at De Doelen,” says Sheek.

Just before the concert, he made a bold decision: to change his repertoire to suit the audience. “I had practiced the original program for four months. But I had to re-learn the new pieces only hours before the performance, on the grand piano backstage.”

“It Felt as If I Could Hear Everyone Breathing”

“That wasn’t the smartest choice,” he admits. “When I finally sat down at the grand piano in De Doelen, my hands were trembling and my heart was racing. The acoustics are so good there, it felt as if I could hear every single person in the audience breathing. Suddenly it hit me: they were all here for me. I couldn’t make a mistake. Fortunately, it went well. The feeling I had in that moment is indescribable. I felt adrenaline rushing through my body—I transcended myself. Afterwards, my mother was in tears. The audience also responded beautifully.”

A Dream Fulfilled

On October 13, 2018, Farid and Maya presented a full concert together: the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. And Farid sets the bar high for himself. “Every month I write new music: a fusion of Western and Eastern classical traditions. That’s what I want to share.”

Through his music, Farid wants the audience to experience both darkness and light. “I believe people can only truly feel joy if they have first experienced sadness. I begin with quiet, melancholic pieces that draw people inward. Then I gradually build toward brighter, more joyful works. The greater the distance between those emotions, the more powerful the experience.”