A fourth-year medical student at the Rome campus of UniCamillus University, a former graduate in Legal Services Studies, a world-renowned pianist and founder of an important collection of historical instruments: Andrea Cantù is a living example of how several passions can be nurtured and made complementary.
Andrea is only 32 years old, but he seems to have lived at least three lives! From the age of seven, he has embarked on a musical journey that has led him to become a highly successful pianist. He graduated with honours from the Como Conservatory of Music and continued his musical education at prestigious international institutions such as the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Ecole Normale de Musique A. Cortot in Paris, the Academy of Imola and the Guildhall School in London, where he obtained his degree. Throughout his career he has won numerous national and international piano prizes, showcasing exceptional mastery of his craft.
In 2022, Andrea founded the Larius International Piano Festival—an event that aims to promote music and talent on the international music scene, enriching the cultural life of his town and the surrounding area.
And that’s not all: Andrea is also renowned for a passion deeply connected to music—one that evokes emotions, transcends time, recalls the scent of paper, and carries the magical wooden touch of extraordinary musical instruments. Indeed, ‘unique’ is the most fitting word to describe it. Andrea Cantù’s collection of musical instruments is one of the most extraordinary and unique of its kind: it consists of more than 40 pianos and fortepianos and is characterised by its historical and cultural richness, with instruments linked to great Italian and international composers. Among the most important pieces are a piano signed by Gioachino Rossini, a Bösendorfer that belonged to Lauro Rossi and a 1770 Karl Lange fortepiano that belonged to Charles Aznavour. Each instrument tells a unique story linked to famous musicians and the collection reflects Andrea Cantù’s desire to preserve and promote the memory of these great artists.
But there is more! In addition to music, Andrea also pursued an academic career in Law, graduating from the University of Pavia in Legal Services Studies. However, despite his numerous musical and academic achievements, he has never taken a break: he is currently a medical student at our University, a decision that shows his desire to explore the scientific field as well.
We met him for an interview that revealed not only a brilliant academic career, but also a view of the world inspired by Renaissance humanism.
Andrea, you decided to pursue a career in music at an early age, but you also studied Law and are now a medical student. How do you manage to combine all these very different passions? Is there a common thread that links them all?
“My passion for the piano began when I was seven years old. Yes, there is a common thread, although it is not easy to explain: my role models have always been the intellectuals of the Renaissance, the great humanists. For humanists, knowledge and art are central elements of life, and I believe that in order to authentically approach disciplines such as music or medicine, you need a deep cultural and spiritual background: you have to have lived the world, as well as had experiences to be truly worthy of practising these arts. Yes, medicine is also an art… even Hippocrates said so!”
You speak very emotionally about the passion that drives you. And it must be very emotional to take care of the pieces of your wonderful music collection… is there one that is particularly close to you?
“I have about 40 instruments, but for me the whole collection is unique. Each piano is linked to an important composer or story. I can tell you about Gioachino Rossini, Lauro Rossi, Vittorino Hallmayr—the composer of the first papal anthem, the original manuscript of which I keep a copy! Or the piano associated with Giuseppe Gabetti, composer of the first Italian national anthem. I also have an instrument that belonged to Felice Boghen, a Jewish composer who was persecuted in the 20th century during the unfortunate period of the racial laws. There is so much life in these pianos… so many lives! I cannot say which one is the most important, as that would mean putting one composer before another”.
Were you looking for these musical instruments or… did they find you?
“That’s a good question! At first I was looking for them, but over time I can clearly say that they’ve looked for me! It’s almost as if each piano has a story that needs to be told and I am its storyteller”.
And you… how do you feel about cherishing and preserving such rare and historically important musical instruments?
“It is a great responsibility! I don’t feel like being their ‘owner’… it’s just a legal fact that’s associated with this time period. I feel more like a guardian to whom the baton has been passed on. My dream is to create a museum and study centre where I can collect not only musical instruments, but also manuscripts, musical documentation, especially scores, often unpublished and in most cases of great value!”
After so much success in music, you decided to study medicine. Why this choice?
“I believe that music and medicine, though seemingly worlds apart, are both disciplines dedicated to serving others. They heal. Both require listening, empathy, sensitivity, but also knowledge and clear thinking. For me, music is all about sharing. A way to get out of myself and create something for others. I approach medicine in the same way. I have also played for charity since I was a child, for example to help victims of earthquakes. So, I would say that the common thread that we were talking about earlier, that ties everything together, is sharing. Sharing emotions, sharing knowledge, sharing time”.
Speaking of sharing and sensitivity: UniCamillus has a strong humanitarian mission. Has this influenced your choice?
“I actually got there a bit by chance, by participating in a call for transfers. But it was a very lucky chance!”
How do you manage it all—your studies, your concerts, your collection of musical instruments?
“It is very difficult, I hardly have a free moment. But the secret is to go beyond the surface: not to study just to memorise, but to understand deeply. Both a musical composition and a medical concept must have a deeper meaning for me, to nourish passion, to never extinguish the fire that animates and nourishes the human being”.
You are an example of someone who successfully combines several passions. What advice would you give to young people who, like you, have multiple goals and may be discouraged by those around them?
“You should always focus on the goal and not on who is against it. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. Finding ‘allies’ on your journey is essential. But your first ally must be yourself: you must believe in yourself—strongly!”
I know you don’t like to talk about favourite instruments in your collection, but can you reveal your favourite composer?
“There are three names in my personal Olympus: Chopin, who is the composer closer to my heart, Bach, who I admire very much, and then Alexander Borodin, who I consider to be my spiritual guide: he was a composer and a medical practitioner, and he proved that you can do two things well that are apparently incompatible. So much for those who say the opposite!”
Speaking of medicine, where do you see yourself as a medical practitioner in a few years’ time?
“We will see: the internships will help me understand better. At the moment I’m very interested in clinical subjects like neurology and endocrinology, but I’m keeping all options on the table, with the freedom to change my mind!”
Any upcoming projects?
“In the summer I’m going to try my hand at a musical composition, but for now it’s top secret… I can’t say more! I have several concerts planned for the coming months, projects with my collection and collaborations with other musicians. And then… taking as many exams as possible!”
Your next exam?
“No, please don’t ask me… I’m a bit superstitious!”
Well, then. Good luck from UniCamillus and all the best, dear Andrea!
