NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Brazilian pianist João Carlos Martins returns to Carnegie Hall on Saturday night, 60 years after his first appearance.
Martins, who focuses on Bach, lost his ability to play due to a series of accidents and neurological episodes.
The 82-year-old had focal dystonia since he was 18 years old, a condition that causes muscle cramps and spasms while playing and has led him to lose mobility in several fingers.
He had 25 surgeries over two decades. Doctors told him he'd never play piano professionally again.
Martins began to focus on conducting, believing that his piano career was finished. But now he's able to play again due to a pair of "bionic" extender gloves designed for him.
He told 1010 WINS' Newsline with Budd Mishkin that the Carnegie Hall performance is "very important to him."
"I played there several times, mostly Johann Sebastian Bach music," Martins said. "And finally, tomorrow I will celebrate 60 years of my first appearance at Carnegie
He said he "abanoned" playing the piano, but he "always tried to do a comeback."
"I always believed we can have a dream in our life, and my dream at the age of 82 years old I really intend to develop a project to fight against focal dystonia for musicians," Martins said.
Martins has returned to the piano thanks to the special gloves, which he says allow him to play the keyboard with all ten fingers after 22 years.
"We can always have a dream in our lives, and this is my dream," he added.
Martins will conduct and play with the NOVUS NY orchestra on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Carnegie Hall. Click here for more information and tickets.
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