How Klaudia Kudełko and Her Louboutins Are Blazing New Trails in Classical Music
Klaudia Kudełko. Credit: Chris Hernandez.
The opening of Klaudia Kudełko’s music video for Chopin’s “Revolutionary” Etude — the second single off of the Los Angeles-based pianist's debut album, Time — tells us so much about who she is as an artist.
In a cavernous warehouse bathed in warm red light, we see Kudełko in a perfectly tailored red suit, her heels clicking against the concrete floor as she nears the Bechstein grand piano in the center of the room. A tight shot of her glossy nude Christian Louboutins, ready to tackle the piano's pedals, precedes a close-up of her face as she takes a deep, centering breath. Silence then turns to violence as Kudełko sounds Chopin's arresting opening chord and dives into wave after wave of the etude's turbulent, cascading scales.
It's immediately clear this isn't a typical classical music video — and Kudełko certainly isn't your typical concert pianist.
Embracing — and challenging — musical tradition
Named a "groundbreaking musician challenging the archaic nature of classical music" by Haute Living and recently profiled as an emerging classical star by BBC Music Magazine and Classic FM, Kudełko's career is on a meteoric rise. Her engaging, accessible approach to classical performance, the innate lyricism and intense virtuosity of her playing, and a hyper-glamorous stage presence have made her one to watch — as evidenced by the 515,000-plus views her Chopin video has received on YouTube in just a few months.
For Kudełko, being an artist who connects people with the power and beauty of classical music in 2022 means balancing tradition and innovation — an approach the fashion world has inspired her to develop.
"Moving forward is something that fashion always does best," Kudełko said on a recent episode of the Classical Post podcast. "So when I think of playing, of being an artist and interpreting things my way — while still really heavily thinking of tradition and respecting that — I feel like fashion inspires me very much."
Case in point: The iconic cherry-red soles of those Louboutin heels. "Every season there is something new [Louboutin] wants to discover and present to the world that has never been seen before, while implementing things from the past. It's a signature look, right? You have the red bottom, that's very classic. But also every season they move forward to new designs and new looks, following the trends. It's a combination of both tradition and also moving forward."
Making the 19th century relevant to 21st-century ears
That foundational concept of looking both forward and back permeates the debut album she released on C2 Management’s in-house label earlier this year. On Time, Kudełko assembled a fascinating collection of works by composers integral to her personal musical identity: two giants of Romanticism, Chopin and Schubert; and Grazyna Bacewicz, the most prominent 20th-century woman composer from Kudełko's native Poland. She looks at each of those works as treasures she's carried with her throughout her artistic journey, and arbiters of how her technique and performance style have evolved over time.
"I've felt many times in my life where I start playing a piece, and then five years later I notice that I interpret this piece in a completely different way given my experiences in life," she said on the podcast. "But this piece is still traveling with me throughout time, it's still relevant, it still means so much. I think it's such a special moment because someone years ago left something on paper, and here we are in 2022, sharing that with people and still being relevant."
Making classical music relevant to listeners today is the core of Kudełko's mission, but she knows that simply delivering flawless performances won't make that happen. In a digital world obsessed with harnessing the latest trends on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, she knows grabbing people's attention requires a holistic sense of branding that takes into account both musical and visual aesthetics.
"Aside from countless hours spent practicing, I feel like building your brand as a musician is equally important," Kudełko shared in a recent video call to discuss her new album. "Traditional music education doesn't talk about this enough. After we perfect a piece, how do we want to present it to the world? Realizing your core values as a musician and what it is you want to share with the world outside of perfecting the pieces you perform is very, very important to me."
Changing perceptions of women artists with style and grace
Building a clear sense of identity and personal brand as a musician doesn't come easy — especially in the classical music world, which can be frustratingly conservative and is notoriously resistant to accepting change. But Kudełko is making it happen, and she sees her work to move perceptions of women artists forward as part of a tribute to those who have inspired her.
"Both inside and outside of music, the amazing women who are changing the narrative, blazing new trails in this beautiful world are a huge inspiration to me. It means so much to see someone like Yuja Wang, who isn't afraid to be herself."
Like Wang, Kudełko stands apart in a sea of starched-collared tuxedos and flowing black gowns. And while her meticulously crafted visual aesthetic can lure someone's attention and get them to press play on a YouTube video, it's the tremendous breadth and depth of her artistry that holds their attention and keeps them coming back for more.
In the coming weeks and months, Kudełko has plenty more on tap for her fans. She'll soon be releasing her third music video for Time, as well as announcing an expansive tour supporting the album. Given her tens of thousands of followers on social media and the viral sensations her videos have become, she'll certainly have no shortage of people ready to immerse themselves in the world of classical piano through her captivating talent.
