Today, you might hear him performing at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London or at opera houses across Europe. But his fellow alumni/ae will recall seeing Harry Rylance ’15 in Commonwealth’s Chorus (or on the soccer field). After earning a bachelor’s and master’s in piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he started his freelance musical career, a mixture of performing solo, chamber music, accompaniments, and as a répétiteur. Keep reading and lend him an ear...

1. What is your favorite Commonwealth memory? 

It would have to be the soccer seasons, especially my senior year when we managed to win the final. We still talk about it.

2. What was your favorite Commonwealth class? 

If I can be greedy and pick a couple it would be Mr. Hodgkins' Chorus and Music Theory classes. Another one that I loved and still think about on a frequent basis is Ms. Siporin's Art History.

3. What’s your #1 piece of advice for Commonwealth students?

Every teacher has something they can teach you (both from their classrooms but also from their thoughts on life) that will probably stick with you long after you leave. There's not many of you in ratio to them, so use the chances to speak with them!

4. What does your ideal afternoon entail? 

A somewhat boring answer but having just come home from a fair bit of traveling, an ideal afternoon would be some easy-going piano practice followed by some kind of exercise like tennis, soccer, or the gym.

5. If you could study any field aside from your own, what would it be? 

If I could pick another instrument, then the saxophone or French horn. If I could study another field, then sports psychology. 

6. When and how did you first become interested in music—playing it, writing it? 

I vaguely remember first getting to learn the piano around the age of five or six just because I was jealous of my older brother who had started piano lessons at the time. I don't think I was actually that interested in the instrument itself at first! But then I had a couple of very good teachers and supportive parents who always took the time to go to concerts with me. I think my musical appreciation journey has been a slow but constant one—I'm still finding new things about it (such as working in opera and writing my own arrangements) that I really enjoy.

7. How does your approach to playing shift when you’re performing a solo versus with a group?

For a start, I'm much more nervous when playing solo! A common thought is that the life of a soloist can be very lonely, which, on the surface, I do find to be true. But in the end, you're still listening to yourself and other people's recordings, and changing your approach to the music over time, all of which also happens when performing with a group. In a group, a lot of soloistic aspects remain, such as breathing with the music and each other, keeping an open ear, and trying to communicate—you just do it as a team while feeding off of each other’s energies. Of course, everyone can come into a group rehearsal with different ideas and approaches, so finding the best way to gel and communicate with each other is part of the fun. I suppose one major difference is how, as a soloist, I often find it easier to get into a completely different "zone," whereas in a group you have to be aware and quite spontaneous sometimes. Both experiences can be just as interesting.

8. What is your favorite aspect of your career?

At the moment, I am enjoying the variety of it. Being able to work as a répétiteur [a pianist who plays for rehearsals for opera productions] on an opera during the day, rehearse with my horn trio in the evening, and practice on my own at night is an example of one of my days this week. Although it can feel like a lot on my plate sometimes, it feels better than being bored! I also am enjoying the traveling aspect of the career; performing and rehearsing in new cities is always fun.

9. What is your favorite song, composer, and/or album?

My favorite composer is always changing, but if I had to pick some constants, it would be the Hungarians: Liszt, Bartok, and Ligeti. My favorite song, for the moment, would be Poulenc's “Dialogues des Carmelites.” My favorite album is probably In Rainbows by Radiohead.

10. What song do you wish you had heard sooner?

I wish I had heard the works of American composer Samuel Barber sooner. In the last year, I've worked on his “Piano Concerto” and lots of his vocal works, which are all lovely to play. Otherwise, I wish I had listened to more jazz earlier. One of the best gigs I've had was the Mingus Big Band at Ronnie Scott's [a jazz club in London] a couple years ago.

11. Who’s the most underrated musician working right now?

I am biased, but my partner, Cassandra Wright, who is an opera singer currently working in Germany.

12. What are people surprised to learn about you?

I got into baking for my family during the COVID lockdowns and still really enjoy finding time to do it.

13. Pen or pencil?

Pencil.

14. Scripted or improvised?

Improvised.

15. What is your favorite museum? 

The Tate Modern in London.

16. What is your favorite mode of transportation?

I do love the double-decker buses here in London. Otherwise, walking!

17. What do you bring to a potluck?

Macaroons.

18. What was your go-to Boston eatery?

B.GOOD for a burger and milkshake.

19. If you could live as a local for 48 hours anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Copenhagen, Denmark.

20. If you could join any past or current music group, which would you want to join?

Radiohead.

Bonus: What is your motto? 

Always be kind.

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