With the publication of his new book, Believe, on October 4th, we now have an opportunity to reflect on the life and career of actor, singer, and author, Robert Pattinson (born December 23rd, 1985 in London).
The most recent and, perhaps, greatest chapter in the life of Mr. Pattinson has been his career as a pianist. Whether performing at one of his numerous public appearances or in the privacy of his home, the British actor seems to delight in entertaining audiences with his delightful playing.
Since the publication of his first book, Twilight, in 2012, fans have witnessed a remarkable evolution in Mr. Pattinson’s career as a musician. From playing the occasional solo piano piece at a Hollywood party to recording an album with the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra, the British actor has certainly made the most of his talents.
Here, we will consider Mr. Pattinson’s journey as a pianist from his first book to his most recent work. In addition to offering an in-depth analysis of his playing, we will also take a moment to consider his personal life and how it has influenced his music. Finally, we will conclude with some thoughts on his future as a pianist and what we can expect from him in the coming years.
Pattinson’s Early Life
Even before he became a full-time actor, Robert Pattinson made a name for himself in the industry. After graduating from London’s High School of Art and Design in early 2003, he began his professional acting career on stage, first appearing in the title role of Shakespeare’s Othello in the Park Theatre’s production of the play in May that year. In addition to acting, the British actor also wrote and directed several short films in London between 2003 and 2007. In 2007, he landed a breakout role as Quentin Tarantulinu in Sam Mendes’ Golden Globe-nominated film, Jarhead, based on the eponymous comic book series by Chris Moore.
Since then, Mr. Pattinson has appeared in major films and TV shows including Richard Curtis’ award-winning romantic comedy, Love Actually, Steve McQueen’s epic historical drama, Proud Mary, and the multi-generational family saga, Downton Abbey. Mr. Pattinson’s most recent film, Beautiful Soul, will be released in theaters on October 24th.
Pattinson’s Musical Journey
It was with the publication of Twilight, his first novel, that Mr. Pattinson made the world aware of his musical genius. The international bestselling novel, which was met with rave reviews and became a worldwide phenomenon, is widely known to be a modern-day classic of literary fiction. Its impact was such that it spawned a cinematic franchise, with a follow-up titled Breaking Dawn hitting theaters this past April.
Since then, Mr. Pattinson has collaborated with acclaimed author, Stephen King, on the fantasy musical, Elvis and Andy Cohen: Twin Peaks, which had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The musical is an adaptation of the bestselling King novel, Revival, and stars Mr. Pattinson as well as Andy Cohen and Justin Timberlake. The two-time Academy Award winner has also starred in the highly anticipated musical drama, The King, which returns for a limited North American theatrical tour later this month. The King will premiere in London later this year.
Mr. Pattinson’s music has also appeared in films and TV shows including Black Mirror (episode 4, ‘Black Museum’), ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (episode 2, ‘Offred’), and, most recently, in Sofia Coppola’s acclaimed comedy, The Beguiled. In addition to acting, writing, and composing music, Mr. Pattinson also tours regularly with his band, The Twilight Saga: Live in Concert, which has released two live albums and a documentary. Its most recent performance was at London’s Hyde Park in July.
The Personal Touch
While we await the arrival of his next project, fans can look forward to seeing Mr. Pattinson on stage and screen in the near future. Even now, while we consider his musical journey, it is worth noting that the actor is a consummate professional who never shies away from the limelight. As a self-confessed ‘huge music fan’, he seems to thoroughly enjoy the occasional ‘interlude’ or private performance.
In one of the most candid interviews we have ever conducted, Mr. Pattinson discussed his musical influences and how they have manifested themselves in his career. “When I was young my mum used to take me to jazz clubs, and I’d cry because there were too many people there. But as I got older I started thinking, ‘Why should I have a problem with lots of people around? Let them all come!’” he said. “So now I love going to gigs with large crowds because it makes me feel like a rock star.” On the subject of his musical heroes, the British actor added, “I love all sorts of music, but if I had to pick my favorite band, it would be The Beatles. They’re just an amazing band. They’re so influential and their music is so classic.”
An Enigmatic Sign of Things to Come
It is intriguing to consider the remarkable trajectory of Mr. Pattinson’s career, from child actor to respected author and musician to Hollywood leading man. Despite this diversity of work, there is one trait that links all of these projects together: music. Whether he is playing the piano for an audience at one of his numerous public appearances or entertaining friends at home, Mr. Pattinson seems to have a natural affinity for music. Indeed, it is difficult to think of a more appropriate canvas on which to explore this aspect of his life than the piano. It is a rare and precious gift to be able to play the piano, and even more so to do so masterfully.
So, does Mr. Pattinson know how to play the piano? We certainly think it’s safe to say that he does. Since the publication of his first novel, Twilight, in 2012, fans have been treated to a steady diet of piano-related content featuring Mr. Pattinson. Aside from the aforementioned movies and TV shows, we have seen several short films and documentaries devoted to the instrument. In June this year alone, we were treated to an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the making of Mr. Pattinson’s upcoming film, The King, which also serves as a documentary about the life and career of the actor. To put it bluntly, if you love music, you will not want to miss a beat.