Nazzareno Carusi
An Italian concert pianist of profound technical and intellectual depth, known for interpretations that fuse fiery virtuosity with a philosopher's search for meaning.
Born 1968 (age 58)·Italian pianist·Birthday: November 9·Generation X
Biography
Nazzareno Carusi approaches the piano not merely as an instrument, but as a vessel for existential inquiry. Hailing from Italy, his training was a pursuit of the absolute, studying under titans like Alexis Weissenberg and absorbing the spiritual dimensions of music through theologian Innocenzo Colosio. This unique blend of rigorous classical discipline and philosophical reflection defines his artistry. On stage, Carusi is a force of nature, capable of breathtaking power and delicate introspection, often focused on the monumental works of Beethoven, Liszt, and the Russian masters. He is not a performer who simply plays notes; he deconstructs and rebuilds compositions, seeking the architectural truth and emotional core within them. This has made him a compelling, if sometimes challenging, figure on the international circuit—a musician whose concerts are less about entertainment and more about a shared, intense journey into music's deepest questions.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Nazzareno was born in 1968, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nazzareno Was Born
The biggest hits of 1968
#1 Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
Best Picture
Oliver!
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Nazzareno's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1968Born
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1973Started school
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1981Became a teenager
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Could drive
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1986Could vote
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Turned 21
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1998Turned 30
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 40
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 50
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 58 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Studied under and was profoundly influenced by the legendary pianist Alexis Weissenberg.
- Has performed as a soloist with major orchestras and in recitals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- His repertoire is noted for its depth, with a particular focus on Beethoven, Liszt, and 20th-century Russian composers.
- Serves as a professor at prestigious institutions, including the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
Did You Know?
He is also a trained classical organist.
He has cited philosophical and theological studies as being as critical to his development as his musical training.
He has performed in historically significant venues like the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Musikverein in Vienna.
He is known for his detailed and extensive program notes, which often explore the philosophical context of the works he performs.
“The piano is a mirror; you must be ready to see what it shows you.”
