Broadway in His Heart: Niall Kinsella on Music, Memory, and the Magic of Musicals
In our recent conversation, pianist and conductor Niall Kinsella shared his deep love for Broadway music and musicals—a genre he describes as timeless, uplifting, and full of heart. For Niall, this music holds a special place, resonating not just with audiences but with him personally as a performer and interpreter.
He spoke with particular excitement about his upcoming collaboration with singer Joan Ellison—a concert with orchestra that will celebrate the golden age of Broadway. It’s a project that allows him to blend two of his greatest passions: working closely with singers and leading the powerful, expressive forces of an orchestra.
While Niall is widely known for his work as a pianist, particularly in the intimate setting of Liederabende, he also expressed how much he enjoys conducting and exploring the rich textures of musical theatre and although he loves accompanying singers, there’s something so exhilarating about working with a full orchestra and bringing Broadway music to life in that way.
Niall also shared his approach to preparing this repertoire—returning to original recordings to capture the spirit and style intended by the composers. “It’s so great that we can still hear how they wanted their music to sound,” he noted. These historic recordings continue to shape his artistic choices and keep him connected to the roots of the music he loves.
Looking to the future, Niall expressed a strong desire to keep exploring more from the Broadway and musical theatre worlds. Whether at the piano or on the podium, his passion for this repertoire shines through—and promises many exciting performances ahead.