Sir Anthony Hopkins, the renowned Welsh actor, is most famous for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" and his recent role as Odin in Marvel's Thor film series. However, his talents extend beyond acting.

In his leisure time, Hopkins is a dedicated musician, proficient as both a pianist and a composer. He recently shared a video on his social media where he played an original piano melody for a small gathering of onlookers in a hotel lobby. The performance had a spontaneous quality, as if he was playing the music as it came to him. After concluding his performance, Hopkins graciously thanked his audience, who responded with applause. As he walked away, he casually remarked, "nice piano."

This impromptu piano performance is not an isolated incident for Sir Anthony Hopkins. He has been creating music for the piano since a young age. In 2009, he spoke to Gramophone magazine about his musical passion, saying, "Music was my first desire, my first wish – and then I became an actor." He also revealed that he composed a piece in 1957 when he was just 20 years old, describing it as evocative and improvised, lasting about 10 minutes. However, he eventually set aside his musical ambitions.

Fortuitously, Hopkins' musical talents found an outlet in his 1994 directorial debut, "August," after a producer encouraged him to compose the film's score as well.

In an interview featured in a special edition of Gramophone Presents... My Classical Music, in collaboration with Classic FM, Hopkins explained how music has been an integral part of his creative process. He mentioned that he often turned to music to help him prepare for roles, citing his listening to Aaron Copland's compositions while getting ready to play Richard Nixon in a film.

Even once he assumes these roles, classical music continues to be a significant influence. For example, Hopkins noted that Hannibal Lecter, one of his iconic characters, had an affinity for Glenn Gould's rendition of Bach's Goldberg Variations.

He also expressed his affinity for music with complexity, which he believes reflects a melancholic aspect carried over from his youth in Wales. He appreciates the works of composers like Vaughan Williams and Elgar, valuing both their melancholic and pastoral qualities.