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Profile: Hania Rani

28/03/2020

Hania Rani

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, Hania Rani

Marks Coles looks at the life and music of the Polish pianist.

Marks Coles looks at the life of the Polish pianist, whose music is bringing him a sense of calm during a time of crisis

Producer Smita Patel

Photo credit: Kinga Karpati

On Profile this week - it’s a personal one.

In lockdown at home because of the coronavirus, presenter Mark Coles has turned to music to help get him through the past few days…captivated by an album he bought by chance in a London record store a couple of weeks ago. 

It’s called‘Esja’- the debut album from a little-known 29 year old Polish pianist, Hania Rani.

The music is sublime and minimalist…solo acoustic piano inspired in part by the mountains and countryside of Iceland where some of it was recorded.

For Mark, it’s become his sanctuary….his headspace - a much needed nightly respite from the cacophony of coronavirus news bulletins and press conferences. 

But who is the mystery woman behind the music? 

Producer: Smita Patel 

Photo of Hania Rani by Kinga Karpati

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