Ayenn Legagneur Stark, Me and My Piano

Classical crossover Ayenn Legagneur Stark, pianist, and composer combines personally meaningful covers and original material in his 2021 album, “Me and My Piano.”

CCM:  How would you describe your sound for new fans?

Ayenn Stark: I would say my music is Classical Crossover with a chamber orchestra feel.

CCM: Tell us about your new album “Me and My piano”?

Ayenn Stark: I had been wanting to create a Classical Crossover for a very long time, but didn’t have the musicians I needed to do so.  Finally, I decided to just do it.  So I sat at my piano for two months every day and just wrote.  Except for two remakes, I wrote every song on that same piano.  I had never done that before.  I actually usually write in my studio, using my keyboard.  I felt such an intimate bond with my piano after that.  So I named the album “Me And My Piano”.

Afterwards, I was able to find wonderful and talented musicians from all the world to lend their talents to my songs.  Producing this album was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

CCM: How did you find the balance between original and well-known tracks?

Ayenn Stark: I only have two well-known tracks on the album, and ironically they aren’t even Classical Crossover songs.  One is “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley, and the other is “ Open Arms” by Journey.

I did get the idea to remake “Can’t Help Falling In Love” from Andrea Bocellli; he has a nice version.  As a single, I also remade Per Te by Josh Groban.

It is really great to remake known songs, because you can put your own spin on it, but I really felt the need to write my own material because I consider myself more of a song writer than a singer or performer.

CCM:  What is the one thing you’d want listeners to know about you Ayenn the person and the musician? 

Ayenn Stark: I love the simple things in life, like spending time with my wife, daughters, and my little poodle, Bisou, as well as with family and friends.   I love writing music. Lyrics are very important to me, and being able to put them to music has been a great gift in my life.  I’m an easy-going person who enjoys life and all the possibilities that it brings.  When you lay attention to my lyrics, you will notice that I wrote about many different emotions and experiences.  It’s real.

CCM: What are some of your goals for the future?

Ayenn Stark: My dream is to write for other Classical Crossover artists to ask me to write a song for them.  That’s really what I dream about.  That would be such an honor.  If not, I’ll just keep recording for myself.  I do enjoy singing, but I believe my talent is writing.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to part of your wonderful community of Classical Crossover music lovers.  It’s so cool to be amongst folks that enjoy this great genre!

Stream now on Spotify!

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.