The hidden Burden of Perfection

The demanding world of classical music frequently enough places immense pressure on performers. For renowned pianist Jonathan Biss,this pressure manifested as debilitating anxiety. A physical injury led to concert cancellations ten years ago, but in 2019, a mental health crisis prompted a different, and more revealing, response. He recalls, “There was no single person in my life suggesting that I should lie about why I was cancelling concerts,” contrasting this with the 2019 situation where, overwhelmed by anxiety, “not one person suggested I tell the truth.” The prevailing advice was to fabricate an illness.

The Stigma of Mental illness in the Arts

This stark contrast exposes the societal bias favoring physical over mental health concerns. After sharing his struggles in his 2020 audiobook, “Unquiet: My Life with Beethoven,” Biss was “flabbergasted” by the overwhelming support. Many individuals, both familiar and unfamiliar, shared similar experiences. He observes,”there is really no question to me that my feeling I had to suffer in silence wasn’t just me. it is indeed the message people are getting from the world around us,” highlighting the pervasive nature of this unspoken suffering. According to a 2023 study by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of adults in the United States experience mental illness each year.

Redefining Practice: Quality over Quantity

Biss’s path to self-acceptance began with a change in his daily routine. In a February interview from his Philadelphia home, after a European tour, he described his revised practice approach. “I’ve sort of moved in recent years away from quantity and towards, I hope, quality of practice,” he explains. He now favors shorter, focused sessions with his phone off, aiming for “as close to total focus as I can muster”. This adjustment, partly influenced by his husband’s early morning schedule, proved remarkably effective. This mirrors the findings of many studies showing that shorter, more intense practice sessions can improve focus and reduce stress.

The Double-Edged Sword of Passion

Biss, a 44-year-old Indiana native and the son of two musicians, started playing piano at age six. His journey, he clarifies, wasn’t driven by parental pressure but by an intense passion.“I have never loved anything remotely as much as I loved music,” he states. However, this profound love became a source of immense pain. Paradoxically, “the thing that mattered most to me in the world and that made me feel most fulfilled and most at home and most myself, was also the thing that was tearing me to pieces”.

Beethoven’s Legacy: A Catalyst for Crisis

His deep connection to Beethoven’s music, ignited in his teens, became a significant factor in his mental health struggles. In 2011, he began recording all 32 of Beethoven’s piano concertos—a monumental undertaking. The subsequent year-long global tour to perform them proved overwhelming. “The intensity and profundity and difficulty and sheer volume of music involved was overwhelming,” he writes in “Unquiet.” “I imagined it woudl 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.” The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 abruptly halted this relentless schedule, revealing the depth of his internal turmoil. “Over the preceding months and even years, I had been quietly falling apart,” he admits.

The Power of vulnerability

The pandemic-enforced break prompted introspection. Biss, who always valued honesty, realized he had been living a lie, concealing his anxiety. The resulting self-recrimination intensified his suffering. “Having anxiety was not debilitating for me. Feeling that having anxiety was unacceptable, that was a debilitating thing,” he reflects. He initially hesitated to share his struggles publicly, fearing a negative impact on his career. However, he ultimately recognized the importance of authenticity. “I came to realize that having anxiety was not debilitating for me. Feeling that having anxiety was unacceptable, that was a debilitating thing.”

I don’t feel threatened by things not going exactly how I imagined them to, because that’s a form of being closed off

Mindfulness: A Path to Acceptance

Biss attributes mindfulness as a key component of his recovery. “It’s been learning to sit with whatever thoughts and emotions arise. Even when they’re very, very confronting ones, to be curious about them, as I find emotions that you allow yourself to experience, you can then begin the process of trying to understand where they come from and addressing how rational they are. Whereas an emotion that you feel that you immediately try to push away, [as] it scares you, that’s when it can eat you alive.” This approach aligns with the views of many therapists who emphasize the importance of mindfulness in managing anxiety.

Reframing Performance: Embracing imperfection

Biss’s experience offers a valuable lesson: the relentless pursuit of perfection can be self-destructive.His newfound acceptance of the unpredictable nature of live performance is highlighted by many mental health professionals.Biss now understands that true artistry lies in embracing the present moment, acknowledging that “One of the real jobs of performing in a concert is that you have to find the truth of that moment.”

The Enduring Power of Music

Despite his openness about his struggles, Biss remains a staunch believer in the unique power of music. “I think that, ultimately, you don’t become a musician unless you feel on a complete level that music accesses things that are not accessible with words. I love writing and I love being engaged with language, but when compared with music, language feels very poor.” His upcoming performance of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in Dublin on March 28th, at the National Concert Hall, promises to be a powerful testament to his journey.

• Jonathan Biss will perform Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lio Kuokman, at the National Concert Hall on Friday, March 28th, at 7.30 pm.The program also includes Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The “In Conversation” event will follow the concert in the main auditorium and is free for ticket holders. tickets,ranging from €15 to €39,are available from nch.ie

Interview with Dr. Elena Greenfield, Psychologist and Music Therapy specialist

Senior Editor of World-today-News.com: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. greenfield. We’d love to start by discussing the immense pressures faced by musicians, as highlighted in Jonathan Biss’s experience. Why does the world of classical music, in particular, create such a high-pressure environment?

Dr. Elena Greenfield: Absolutely. The world of classical music is inherently demanding. Performers often face intense scrutiny and set exceptionally high standards for themselves, largely due to the nature of the art form which leaves little room for error. Furthermore, the competition is quite fierce, and the need to attain perfection is frequently seen as synonymous with success in the field. This environment can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and inadequacy among performers.

Senior Editor: Yezid, it was revealed that Biss felt pressured to fabricate an illness instead of being truthful about his anxiety. Can you elaborate on why there’s a stigma against mental health issues in the arts?

Dr. Greenfield: The stigma primarily stems from societal misunderstanding and the historical viewpoint that mental health issues indicate weakness or a lack of control. In artistic fields, where emotions and vulnerability are central to performances, admitting to mental health struggles can be mistakenly perceived as a lack of professionalism or an inability to cope with the pressures. This bias frequently enough results in fear of judgment or repercussions,deterring individuals like Biss from being open about their mental health challenges.

Senior Editor: Jonathan Biss’s revised approach to practicing seems to emphasize quality over quantity. How can this method benefit musicians in terms of mental health?

Dr.Greenfield: Shifting focus from the quantity to the quality of practice can significantly alleviate stress. Shorter, more purposeful practice sessions reduce the risk of burnout and improve concentration levels. This method allows musicians to stay present and mindful, fostering a healthier relationship with their craft. It’s a holistic approach that encourages self-care and sustainable habits,aligning more closely with the goals of mental well-being.

Senior Editor: Biss described his deep passion for music as a double-edged sword. Can you explain how passion might contribute to mental health issues in musicians?

Dr. Greenfield: Passion, while a beautiful motivator, can be overwhelming when it becomes all-consuming.For musicians like Biss, music isn’t just a career; it’s a life’s calling, making it emotionally intense. When challenges arise, such as injuries or creative blocks, they can lead to severe emotional distress, as the person’s identity and sense of self-worth are often deeply intertwined with their musical achievements. Balancing passion with self-compassion and realistic expectations is crucial to maintaining mental health.

Senior Editor: Biss turned to mindfulness as part of his recovery process. How can mindfulness assist musicians in dealing with anxiety and stress?

Dr. Greenfield: Mindfulness encourages individuals to stay present and engage with their thoughts and emotions without judgment.for musicians, this practice can be especially beneficial as it reduces performance anxiety, enhances focus, and promotes a deeper connection to their music. By becoming attuned to their emotional states, musicians can better identify when they need rest or support, preventing anxiety from escalating into a crisis.

Senior Editor: Can you discuss how embracing imperfection might alter a musician’s approach to performance and their mental health?

Dr. Greenfield: Embracing imperfection can be incredibly liberating for musicians. It allows them to accept that not every performance will be flawless and to focus on the authenticity and emotion of the moment. This paradigm shift can reduce performance anxiety and foster resilience, helping musicians appreciate the beauty in the unexpected and learn from each experience. Ultimately, it cultivates a healthier mindset that values growth and self-acceptance over perfectionism.