Newsletter Opus 11, Fall 2003
ALL ABOUT FESTIVAL THAT WAS
If you missed it: During our 6th
International Laureates Festival July 28-August 10, 11 super-talented young
artists performed in LA & about in 8 concerts. Festival received extensive
coverage in 18 local publications, Beverly Hills Outlook (www.bhoutlook.us
with readership of 425,229) followed all events/concerts. here are sonme
excerpts from reviews by DORIAN.
A Masterful Master Class and Some
Breathtaking IPALPITI Soloists
I am in total awe of Professor Eduard
Schmieder (world-renowned violinist , teacher, conductor) and so it was with
eager anticipation that I arrived early for a good seat at his Master Class
on August 5.
The participating group included Sayako Kusaka, violin [Japan], Evgeny
Sakakuschev, cello [Bulgaria-Germany] and Edna Yuan-Yuan Chia, piano
[USA], who were rehearsing Rachmaninov's Piano Trio in G minor, "Elegiaque,"
quite elegantly. Then Professor Schmieder arrived and proceeded to turn it from a
beautiful rendition into a glorious one-delving into the heart of the sad and
passionate expression, creating a transcendent journey into the soul of this
neglected Russian composition. Playing with concentrated panache, the young
artists listened attentively as Professor Schmieder detailed the nuances of the
Russian sound and music, even how to hold the bow and perform so delicately as to
evolve into a more powerful delivery from the quivering quietude…. Written as
homage in honor of Tchaikovsky's death, it is a complex composition that
Professor Schmieder explained, solving the profound mysteries of this work of
passion and loss, making the subject of death rendered with drama and pathos….
But we held our collective breaths lest we miss the quiet sweetness of sound.
On August 6, we returned to hear a presentation of "Classica Romano"
by four new members of Young Artists, all laureates of international
competitions: Hungarian violinists Gyula Vadaszi, Gabor Szabo, Janos
Bodor, and Peter Stoll, cello/keyboard. In a jaw-dropping recital of
sheer virtuosity, these artists played devilishly intricate Paganini pieces
as brilliantly as I have ever heard. If the intent was to dazzle, and I
believe it was,
An Ode to Schmieder and the I PALPITI Wunderkinds
The I PALPITI soloists of Young Artists International have honed
themselves into an exhilarating polished team under the leadership of the
incomparable Professor Eduard Schmieder. No more so evident than at the final
two outings of the group: On August 9 at the hidden but oh-so-lovely Heverly
Hills Municipal Gallery, an adjunct of Beverly Hills City Hall. In a large,
bright, sunshine-and art-filled room with marvelous acoustics, came Sayako
Kusaka, violin, and Marianna Racz, flute [Holland] to offer up a Bach
Sonate C-dur BWV 1037 from Offertorium. Their tonal resources blended
smoothly and expertly with Racz's amazing breath control and Kusaka's silken
bow. This was followed by Mozart's Piano Quartet in E flat major with
Edna Yuan-Yuan Chia/ piano Sayako Kusaka/ violin, Gabor Szabo/ viola, and Evgeny
Sakakuschev/ cello….the group presented the purest Mozartean melody ever composed,
played with great finesse, and concluding as brightly as it began. Last
presented was Richard Strauss' Piano Quartet in C minor. Richard Strauss is
quoted as having said, "…I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a
first-class second-rate composer!" This Piano Quartet puts a lie to that
self-effacing statement with its demands of supreme musicality and technical
prowess….the passionate and elegantly performed work ranks with the finest
chamber music of the Romantic era. On August 10 we repaired to the Bing
Auditorium at LACMA to hear the musicians' final outing of the season in
Southern California, presenting Rachmaninoff's Trio Elegiaque for Piano,
Violin and Cello No. 1 in G minor (Kusaka, Sakakuschev and Chia)…
musicians clearly inwardly participated in the music-making during the long
rests to create continuity and seamless give-and-take, a subtle problem these
performers solved admirably. They seemed to have such a strong rapport that
thoughts and feelings seemed to flow between them in an unbroken current.
Then in an earned standing ovation performance of Mozart's Clarinet Quartet in
A major (Lucy Chuang/ clarinet, Kusaka/ violin, Racz/ violin, Gabor Szabo/
viola, and Sakakuschev/ cello) there was so much energy, the playing so
technically impeccable that it was like seeing the music, not just hearing it,
their phrasing and style unanimous, elegant and flexible. Their tone, though
each player has a different one, was beautiful and expressive. They brought out
all of Mozart's mercurial moods, the light and shadow, repose and passion, joy
and sorrow…This was flawless ensemble work, all contributing to the synergy
that comes from five instrumentalists playing as one. What a joy! We cannot
wait for the return of this exceptional group, although it will be without
Marianna Racz who, we understand, has accepted a position with the Concertgebouw
in Amsterdam-their gain, or loss. And so many judos to Professor Schmieder for
this living golden achievement!
News from our Artists:
After the Festival, violinist Sayako Kusaka went on tour with Tokyo Symphony performing Tchaikovsky concerto & Saint-Saens' Introduction & Rondo Cappricioso-to a great acclaim, of course!
Cellist Timo-Veikko Valve is premiering pieces by Sibelius in his native Finland, recording is to be made by Finnish Radio (YLE), and performing Schostakovish 1st cello concerto with Hyvinkaa Sinfonia. Next summer he is invited to Kuhmo festival in Finland (among 5 biggest festivals in the world)-it is at the same time of our Festival-we will miss him but are very happy for his career.
Evegeny Sakakuschev took a principal cellist position in Malaga Spain.
,br> As part of our mission to develop & promote careers of young talented musicians, two of our alumni were given an opportunity to work as faculty members in the festival organized by Young Artists International at Moulin d'Ande Centre Artistique & Culturel in Normandy, France. Under the guidance of Professor Schmieder, violinist Vadim Tchijik & pianist Luiza Borac coached 10 international students and performed in recitals. Vadim just accepted a new position in another conservatory in Paris, His new CD on Lirynx (Harmonia Mundi) was named one of the best CD's of the month in French Classica Magazine. His next CD will be released in Japan in January.
Luiza is on the faculty of the very prestigious Hochschule in Hanover. She is playing solo recital in New York Steinway Hall on November 20. Here is her note after festival in France:
Dear Laura,
I've just got home this morning and I would like to tell you firstly how much I enjoyed the festival and the violin course at Moulin d'Ande and to thank you very very much for inviting me to take part in this project.
Dr. Schmieder played a phenomenal concert and coached the young talented students at the most incredible level of artistry. It might sound ungrateful of me towards all the great teachers and artists with whom I've worked with until now in my humble life, to say that Dr. Schmieder work is on a far more high level but what I can say is that the students might consider themselves lucky indeed to be provided with this sort of guidance in their very early years of life.
Personally I enjoyed te atmosphere at Moulin d'Ande very much. The organizing is such that you don't have to worry about going out to look for meals which of course save very important rehearsal time. There is always a nice audience for concerts and being in such beautiful surroundings is really inspiring.
Dear Laura, I consider myself very privileged and honooured to have been part of the Festival project in France and I thank you so much for inviting me.
With warmest greetings, Luiza.