Classical cuts

FANS OF classical music are in for a treat tonight as world-acclaimed pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy and his equally renowned son Vovka take to the stage of the Thailand Cultural Centre for a performance that will feature works by Rachmaninoff and Ravel.

The Russian-born Ashkenazy has been on the concert stage for almost 60 years and is considered the world’s finest interpreter of Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose “Symphonic Dances” he and his son will play tonight. 

He recently chatted with The Nation about his upcoming concert.

 

IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME IN THAILAND? 

I have played in Thailand one or perhaps twice before but it was a long time ago. I am not very familiar with the country’s traditions and culture but I still remember the kindness of Thai people, and their excellent food! 

 

HOW WAS THIS PROGRAMME SELECTED? WERE ANY OF THE PIECES SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN WITH THE THAI AUDIENCE IN MIND?

We choose two or three programmes for the season. We then play them everywhere we go. The place of the concert has no influence on the programme. We select the pieces following our affinities with the composers and the value of their music. Beethoven, Brahms, Ravel, Rachmaninov are among the favourites.

 

HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO MUSIC AS A CHILD?

My father was a pianist, and while studying in a music school, played composers such as Beethoven, Brahms and Rachmaninov. My mother was not a musician, but she would |very often sing Russian melodies. Her father was a chorus master |at the Orthodox Church. That |was my introduction to classical music. At some point, my mother realised I loved music very much, and asked me if I would like to study it, and which instrument? I said yes of course, and naturally, I chose piano since my father was a pianist. 

WHO WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE AS AN ARTIST?

It is impossible to say, there are too many people who have played a role. Of course, my teachers immediately come to mind; they were very talented, very helpful. But also many great performers; pianists, conductors, violinists, good musicians always inspired me, and opened some new perspectives in my musical life and understanding of what music is about.

 

WHEN PLAYING ON STAGE, DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC PERSON IN MIND? ARE YOU AWARE OF THE AUDIENCE?

I tend to focus on the music only. Sometimes, I am aware of |the audience because of some |noise or movement, but most |of the time, I am able to ignore |it and stay focused on the |music itself. 

BEING SO SUCCESSFUL AS A PIANIST, WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO MAKE THE LEAP TOWARDS CONDUCTING?

Conducting happened little by little, as people would see that I was extremely interested in orchestra music, and suggested I should conduct. A conductor friend of mine even offered to give me a few lessons about conducting, but I declined, because I was happy giving concerts, and conducting seemed such a daunting task.

My father-in-law was conducting a small amateur orchestra every other week. He noticed my interest, and he too offered to teach me the basics and let me conduct his orchestra once in a while. I did it, not terribly well I guess, but some moments were quite okay. Little by little, I conducted more often, and more professional orchestras, but never tried to do it a lot, and certainly not thought of a career as a conductor.

But again, people seemed to think that I was doing it quite well, and would encourage me to do it more, and with higher-level orchestras. Eventually, I conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra in London, but not yet quite professionally, because I never really had a proper training. Nevertheless, the concert went very well, and musicians of the orchestra liked me, and pressed me to come again. That was the start. 

 

DO YOU BELIEVE “CLASSICAL” MUSICIANS SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME STUDYING OTHER KIND OF MUSIC, SUCH AS JAZZ, OR “POP” MUSIC?

What the great composers wrote is on such higher level spiritually that I don’t think it is necessary. Besides, jazz or pop music is all over the place, heard everywhere, all the time, even when you don’t want it! 

I cannot identify with this kind of music though I do appreciate that some very talented people that manage to make it entertaining, even interesting and appealing. But to reach the level of a Beethoven, or a Shostakovitch… Never, forget it! (He laughs).

 

IN A FIERCELY COMPETITIVE FIELD, WITH ONLY VERY FEW MUSICIANS MANAGING TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF THEIR PASSION, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG MUSICIAN?

If young people believe that musical expression is unbelievably important to them, they should go on and try to see what they can do with it. At the same time, one needs to be honest and determine if she or he can contribute to the musical world and to mankind in a significant way. If not, because the gifts are not quite right for this, or for any other reason, they have to be lucid. But even then, they should never lose the love for music. 

 

WHAT TRIGGERED THE CREATION OF THIS PIANO DUO WITH YOUR SON, VOVKA? WAS IT A NATURAL PROCESS, OR SOMETHING YOU HAD TO WORK ON?

There is a lot of music written for two pianos, and when I realised that my son could play very well, I thought why don’t we play together? Of course, I played with some other pianists, but if you have a very good pianist in your family, and Vovka is one, why should I go to anybody else? It is also much easier logistically; we can rehearse at home; there is no need to travel, no need to arrange anything. So we started to do it from time to time, and I enjoyed it very much. My son could play just anything; he has very good abilities and understanding, and can do a lot of repertoire. I feel lucky that I can play with him.

 

ON STAGE TONIGHT

- The “BSO Ashkenazy 2 piano recital” takes place at the Thailand Cultural Centre tonight at 7.

- Tickets costing Bt800 to Bt3,200 are on sale at Thai Ticket Major counters and online.