With 310,000 followers on Instagram, 390,000 on Facebook, 80,000 on TikTok, and 40,000 on YouTube, 16-year-old German pianist Justus Aihihon has amassed nearly 800,000 followers across social media platforms. He has emerged as a 'social media star' in the classical music scene just three years after he began sharing videos of himself playing piano in his living room. His follower count surged following the recent release of his debut album, 'The Source.'
Born in Weimar, Germany, in 2009, Aihihon started improvising on the piano at age three and showcased his talent by performing Haydn's piano concerto at ten. In a recent video interview with reporters, he noted, "A significant portion of my followers are from Korea, including Seoul. I estimate they make up about 15 to 20 percent of my total audience."
Aihihon shares not only concert and orchestral collaboration videos but also clips of himself playing piano in unconventional settings such as warehouses, fields, and trains. He explained, "I want to reach more people and bring classical music closer to them."
One of his most talked-about videos features a rearrangement of Czerny's 'Etude Op. 740 No. 14,' transforming the original's fast-paced intensity into a more meditative atmosphere. He spontaneously altered the rhythm while practicing the piece. For Aihihon, Czernyi is more than just a composer of practice pieces; he is also "a student of Beethoven and a teacher of Liszt," who has influenced his technical development since childhood.
Released on September 11, Aihihon's debut album 'The Source' includes works by composers closely tied to his hometown of Weimar, such as Bach, Hindemith, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Richard Strauss. The album also features three original compositions. The title reflects his musical roots, as he stated, "I wanted to introduce my musical origins to the audience."
Aihihon creates music spontaneously, often inspired by landscapes that he translates into melodies. When composing 'Silent Fields,' he envisioned a cornfield swaying in the wind. He records any chords or melodies that come to him while at the piano on his phone, which he later uses to complete his pieces.
He places great importance on 'honesty' in his musical endeavors, believing one should not act differently in front of the camera than behind it. His goal is clear: "I want to broaden the audience for classical music, reaching those who do not typically listen to it."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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