Although they are convinced that the same work is impossible to perform in the same way, they often present the works of the World Classical composers with different interpretations, which in their turn give rise to talks. Some are adamantly against presenting, let’s say, Bach, Beethoven, Barms and other celebrities in any interventions, but a vast mass enjoys the new interpretations of “old” works. With an expectation of sharing various opinions on this, “Aravot” met with renowned musicians first time in Armenia Barry Douglas (Ireland) and clarinetist Ventsel Fuks (Austria). First, we asked the musicians to introduce themselves briefly.
Douglas said that his international recognition began in 1986 after winning in the International Tchaikovsky Competition. “It will take a long time to list the names of the well-known music bands and conductors with whom I have cooperated. Certainly, I have performed on the stage in numerous countries, but I would like to specifically mention the Camerata Ireland band, which was founded in 1999 for the purpose to establish national solidarity and peace, bringing the best performers together and, of course, disseminating my national Irish music,” said Douglas. Ventsel Fuks highlighted his teaching career at the Berliner Philharmoniker Academy, at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule fur Musik, the Kurashiki Sakuyo University in Japan, and at the Shanghai Conservatory. Then, he mentioned his overloaded cooperation accompanied with various music bands along with his educational activities.
Our interlocutor also emphasized his performances at the prestigious concert halls, including the Musikverein (Vienna), Philharmoniker (Berlin), Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) and so on. Our Austrian interlocutor, like the Irish Douglas, highlighted the dissemination of the folk music and co-native composers’ works throughout the world. Our two interlocutors, though it was their first visit to Armenia, however, assured that they are familiar with the Armenian culture and composers, including Arno Babajanyan, Edward Mirzoyan, Alexander Harutyunyan, Tigran Mansuryan and, of course, the musicians introducing the Armenian performance art to the world. They singled out also the performance of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia at the 9th International Chamber Music Festival accompanied with Armenian renowned musicians residing and creating in the Great Britain: violinist Levon Chilingiryan and cellist Alexander Chaushyan.
To our observation that some people are strongly against the works of the world-famous composers in modern interpretations, our interviewees said that he “shares” this view, at the same time stressing that each performer delivers the famous work in his own way, remaining true to the original.
Samvel DANIELYAN
“Aravot” daily
