November 26, 2009 15:55 PM

Hitting The Right Notes With Classical Music

By Ummi Nadiah Rosli

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The opening notes of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in d minor", can easily be misconstrued as the background music associated with scary movies.

But lovers of this music genre would attest to its melodic journey and subtle elegance, with the capacity to evoke a chill down the spine or a lump in the throat.

From greats such as Bach, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, classical music stirs the imagination and conjures up many nuances of our emotions and sensations.

Widely regarded as 'music of the masters' for a good reason, classical music is something to be enjoyed by both aficionados and the uninformed.

And according to virtuoso pianist, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Malaysians are already groomed for a classical music awakening.

The Russian is ranked as one of the greatest pianists of the modern era, as well as music director and conductor laureate.

Ashkenazy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) were in Kuala Lumpur recently for two nights of stellar performances at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall (DFP).

START YOUNG

Ashkenazy's musical career screams 'extraordinary' in every way.

Having played the piano at the age of six, he was accepted at the Central Music School, Moscow at age eight after demonstrating prodigious talent.

The 72-year old pianist's career has spawned numerous chamber music recording that garnered him critical praise and accolades including several Grammy awards.

He later branched into conducting and was the principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was the Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, and Music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo.

With 20 years of conducting experience under his belt, he began early this year his four-year tenure as principal conductor and artistic advisor of the world-class Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

Met during a luncheon with Penny Williams, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ashkenazy having played the piano masterfully at a young age advised youngsters to learn classical music with diligence.

"If you want to be a serious classical musician, you must start early especially with instruments like the piano and violin. It will definitely be too late to have a real career in classical music if you learn to play an instrument when you're older."

MALAYSIA NEEDS CONSERVATORY

A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, (one of the leading music universities in Russia) Ashkenazy is part of the fine list of its alumni which includes Natalya Ageyeva (pianist and Artistic Director Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle) as well as violinist and musicologist Alexei Gorokhov.

Conservatories are colleges or academies of music and university schools of music, which are tertiary level institutions, and can either be independent or part of a university.

Classical music is often the principal study in most of the world's famous conservatories such as the Royal Academy of Music, London, The Paris Conservatoire and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. However, in non-European and non-American countries like China's Shanghai Conservatory of Music, traditional instruments are prioritised.

On the other hand, Malaysia has yet to have its own conservatory, a development that Ashkenazy noted as unfortunate.

"Malaysia should have a conservatory, because what's happening now is that classical music students here have to go abroad to pursue their tertiary studies.

"Eventually they will stay in those countries instead of coming back to play with local orchestras. It's a big loss for classical music progress in Malaysia".

MORE EXPOSURE TO THE GENRE

In spite of this, Ashkenazy said that there were positive developments in the country that could spell out a greater appreciation for the genre.

"The DFP is a good start. The orchestra hall is a great investment to help expose great music to the public."

He contended that the establishment of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra would also pull in more local talents to perform at the venue. On the direction of classical music in the country, Ashkenazy hoped that Malaysia would nurture a younger audience for the music.

And for a pianist who has been playing music for the past 66 years, Ashkenazy is not about to slow down.

"I have no plans, life is full of surprises and I take whatever that comes my way. I am now with a superb, world-class orchestra (SSO). I always try my best to inspire and to enjoy myself at the same time."

CLASSICALLY CHARMING

Nineteen year old pianist, Bezhod Abduraimov is shy in person, but on stage, he exudes the charm and prowess of his brilliant mentor.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1990, Abduraimov, guest soloist for SSO's Asian tour is Ashkenazy's protege.

He began playing at the age of five, and has wowed audiences since with his first performance as a soloist at the age of eight with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan.

Grand prize winner of the London International Piano Competition 2009, the young pianist has also performed in concerts in the United States, Italy and Russia.

After studying at the Uspensky State Central Lyceum in Tashkent, Abduraimov is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree at the International Center for Music at Park University, Kansas City since 2007.

"In Uzbekistan, there are a lot of classical music students, and a lot of orchestras that cater to aspiring musicians."

The young pianist loves what he does, and never fails to practice three to five hours every single day.

"Classical music is my passion, and I love all of the composers so it's hard to choose a particular favorite .

"It is a huge motivation when people around me say they enjoy what I'm doing (playing piano), and I also get to play with the big stars. My advice to aspiring classical musicians is to love what they are doing. Music is a beautiful thing and they should believe in themselves. And practice, practice, and practice!"

Abduraimov said that while a professional musician has to start early, it's okay to pick up an instrument later as it's always good to learn music for your own self.

GROWING AUDIENCE IN THE COUNTRY

Kees Boersma still remembers his first visit to the DFP almost a decade ago performing with SSO as the Principal Bassist.

As part of the 95 symphony musicians, Boersma stated that the public was very receptive towards their performance this time around.

"The audience was wonderful, and I think the feedback we received from our shows reflects Malaysians are more engaged with this music. We're very impressed."

Founded in 1932, SSO is considered one of the world's finest orchestras, and resident at the iconic Sydney opera house where it conducts more than 100 performances each year.

The orchestra carries out an award-winning education program, central to their commitment to the future of live symphonic music, developing audiences and engaging the participation of young people.

They brought the same commitment in Kuala Lumpur, when two of Australia's finest violinists, Dene Olding and Kirsty Hilton, who are also members of the orchestra gave a master class at the National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara).

A group of nine music students had the opportunity to participate in the master class, witnessed by music students from Aswara and local institutions around the Klang Valley.

While Chopin's romantic piano sonatas or Mahler's explosive symphonies are not a staple on Malaysian airwaves yet, it is hopeful that more Malaysians will be embracing, rather than running away when listening to classical music in the future.

Let's hear Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' to that.

-- BERNAMA

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