When he’s not drafting briefs or gearing up for trial, Keker, Van Nest & Peters associate Paul von Autenried can be found playing his piano. His dedication struck a remarkable high note in Paris last month, when he won both First Prize and the Press Award at the 33rd International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs (Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano) at the historic Sorbonne.
One of 100 participants, von Autenried advanced through three rounds, performing some of his personal favorites in each: Scarlatti sonatas, a Bach partita, Rachmaninoff Etudes-Tableaux, a modern movement by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, and a sweeping Liszt transcription of a Schumann love song.
“These competitions are a bit like putting together a floor routine in gymnastics,” von Autenried said. “You’re given a time limit for each round, and you design a program that will show the judges a range of styles and difficulty, hopefully playing to your strengths.”
The 32-year-old began his musical journey at age four and competed often while growing up, even minoring in piano at Princeton. Law school briefly shifted his focus, but the love of performing never left. These days he balances law firm life with a practice routine that’s “slow, methodical, and consistent.” He credits his teacher, San Francisco Conservatory professor Dr. Sharon Mann, for his success on the stage.
“She helps me prepare for opportunities like this,” he said. “We work on everything from physical technique to how to tell a story with the music, such as where to breathe, what to emphasize, and how to set a tone.”
He also thanks the many people who have made his music ambitions possible. That includes his longtime childhood teacher, Chiu-Tze Lin, dedicated parents, and a supportive spouse who tolerates late-night practicing.
“That is usually how I navigate the demands of working at a law firm,” he said. “And I’m grateful to my Keker colleagues who covered for me while I traveled to compete.”
As a winner of this year’s competition, he receives a cash prize and has been invited to perform a concerto with the Orchestra of the Republican Guard in Paris next year.