Alban's Blog

Concerts and “Fußball”

Last night I had the pleasure to play for the first time in 18 years with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bayerische Rundfunk in Munich, one of the best orchestras in the world – their chief conductor is Mariss Jansons. I played the Brahms Double (again) with Lisa Batiashvili who played as always absolutely beautiful; a challenge to be on stage with her because she has such musical charisma that it is very easy to be blown away, while in that piece the cello needs to lay a good base, otherwise something is missing. Did it work? People said we had a very natural balance, sounding like one instrument (hopefully like hers, not like my fat monster), but I know quite well that if it wasn’t like that, people would not tell me anyway, so I never know, always guessing.In the afternoon before the performance I told my son that I was going to play one of the for me most important concerts of the season, just because of the quality of orchestra, city and hall, live radio etc. – he asked me if I was especially nervous, and I realized that I wasn’t at all afraid, just looking forward to be playing in that hall, the “Gasteig” (which I like very much, even though it is very fashionable not to like it since Leonard Bernstein recommended to burn it down right after it was opened) with little round Lisa (eight-months pregnant – no idea how she managed to stand there for almost 40 minutes without holding her belly :)) enjoying myself playing one of the most beautiful pieces written for cello.

I think I also held my nerves “in check” by remembering the important game of the night, Germany vs. Portugal in the Quarter Finals of the European Championship – this is real pressure, I was even nervous just watching the second half on TV in a restaurant. The players really have something to loose; a couple of hundred million people are watching these games, criticizing and scrutinizing every single move. They are playing for tons of money, and if they loose, they are really considered loosers, while we musicians can only play well or less well, but we can’t loose, since we are not playing against anybody.

Yes, we (and especially me) can make mistakes, and I certainly had my share (screwed up with first arpeggio in a-minor, merde, it worked sooo well in rehearsal), but it doesn’t matter at all – the over-all performance is what counts, and I know by now (after doing this since 19 years) that these tiny little accidents are of no importance whatsoever – well, in soccer they might lead to a goal against you and you are the idiot, in music you can make up for it musically, or it might even add to the excitement of the performance, just by not being too perfect 🙂 (dream on, Alban!)

Two years ago I played a recital while Germany was playing Argentina in the quaterfinals of the World Cup, and like yesterday they won. Maybe I should always schedule concerts for these important soccer games. For the Semis I am free, so probably they’ll loose. Yes, sorry, I am a sports fan, what can I do, find it highly entertaining and as you can tell, it helps me to deal better with my little stress-factors by realizing that it is not really stress but pure joy. There was some excitement around our performance last night though, because we had to cancel the dress rehearsal; Lisa had spent a difficult night in her condition, so she decided to play it safe and stay home – we played the concert on one rehearsal, but with an orchestra and a conductor like yesterday (Hans Graf conducted a great Brahms) this is no problem. I am curious what will happen tonight – probably a bit more freedom, but also a bit less concentration than yesterday…

Last week I broke my own record of concerts in a row: 8 concerts in 9 nights in four different places, Elgar in Dresden, Dohnanyi in Dortmund, Dvorak in Brussels (poor Truls Mörk had to cancel because of health problems) and two chambermusic concerts at the small but excellent festival of Lars Vogt in Heimbach. Tiring? Not really – somehow I am more tired if I play less, maybe due to the adrenalin which starts flowing when I have a crazy schedule like that, having to drive after concerts 600 km from one place to the other, commuting back and fourth between two cities to rehearse (Brussels and Heimbach). A day has 17 hours, and one can do a whole lot in this time if one plans it efficiently. Automatically I am more discplined in times like that as well, and much more productive. Already in school I was at my best when I had loads to do. As soon as I had a free weekend I didn’t get anything done – except maybe recharging the battery, like the coming weekend: shooting some balls with Janos, cooking, watching soccer, chilling out. Yes!

Comments

  • Guido

    Dear Alban,
    I really enjoy reading your blog.
    Amalie is here with Dahlia ubtil July 15.
    Hope you will do a concert this year with Amiata festival
    Fond regards
    Guido

    Reply
  • Angel Garcia Jermann

    Hi Alban,
    sorry to hear you like soccer so much… well considering that Germany is eventually going to loose against Spain it is granted that you will have a tough time. All the best (for you, not the german team!) from Madrid.
    Angel.

    Reply
  • Bob Hardie

    Dear Alban … it’s so good to read another episode of happenings in your life and world; you really do have a gift for writing. I haven’t responded to your previous epistle yet, but I will. After looking at your incredibly busy schedule, I can’t justify saying that moving back from New York to Australia next week is the reason why I am late with everything just now. Anyway, that’s my story and this is just a quick hello as I pack .

    I would love to have heard your concert with Lisa Batiashvili; what an astonishing combination. A gifted & pregnant violinist, a wonderful piece and a fabulous concert hall; though perhaps your cello would prefer to be called “wide-hipped” rather than a “fat monster”?

    I wasn’t aware that you were such a soccer groupie; I doubt that many soccer teams would have a cellist as a good luck charm. Maybe, if you are successful at attracting wins for your team, you could consider it as income augmentation? I am in awe that you even know some of the teams. My knowledge of football is restricted to what games are played with a round ball, and what are played with a pointy ball. I am a total embarrassment to such a sports-oriented national as Australia. However, it will be good to get back home after a few years away.

    By the way, to admit that you are fallible … screwing up an arpeggio … horrors .. is simply to admit to being human. Isn’t it? I feel that your mother would approve of the emergence of this humble streak in her son?????

    While you continue to deliver you talents throughout Europe (and later in Australia and New Zealand, I see), I am heading back to do some filming of the latest litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Tiger Island, a facility in Queensland, last week. This may see the end for me of a 10 year project on tigers that I’ve been working on, though I’m fairly addicted to it by now and it will be hard to give up.

    And do try to find more time to chill out. We all need time to stop and smell the coffee!

    Take care and much continued success.

    Bob

    Reply
  • Bob Hardie

    Can I sneak a quick PS in here???

    You know the term “tempest in a teapot”? … well, I suspect that it applies to the “Misquotations in Review”. It is so easy to misinterpret either the spoken or written word, especially when you are being translated. For what its worth, to me what you write says so much about who you are, your approach to your art, and your approach to the world at large. As someone else has said of you, it is rare to find an artist so open. If there is the occasional misfire, well, it happens.

    Keep it coming … and I love your sense of humour!

    All the best.

    Bob

    Reply
  • Alban

    Dear Angel,

    sorry to tell you, but there won’t be a game Spain-Germany, because the Spanish will loose tonight against the Italians, since they committed the same mistake the Portugese and the Dutch did: they rested their best team in the third game of the preliminaries which deprived the team of the chance to play one more game together competitively – as easy as that. I predicted the loss of Portugal and the Netherlands just because of that reason. So the tough time will be coming for you tonight 🙂 For us it will be the end against Turkey, because they believe now that Allah is on their side, and that’s a tough one to beat…
    Enjoy tonight!

    Dear Bob,

    thanks for your interesting text – would love to see your film about the tigers. Have you ever heard about a “liger”? My wife showed me one on youtube, it’s a mix between a lion and a tiger, pretty gigantic animal (well, not so pretty actually).
    Thanks for all the flowers, hope to meet up in Australia one day – safe moving and travelling,

    Alban

    Reply
  • Bob Hardie

    Dear Alban … ah yes, the hapless liger. If it was a handsome animal, I could go with it, but, as you say, enormous and not so pretty. On the other hand, the new Sumatran tiger cubs are gorgeous. Once i get re-settled, I’ll end some photos and a DVD.

    Tae care.

    Bob

    Reply
  • Angel Garcia Jermann

    Hi Alban,
    I guess Italians are happy to be home again, pizza, bologna sausage, cappucino… (hahaha). Since I think rationality will prevail over religion Germany will beat Turkey for sure. Russian will bite the dust because they don’t really have a team to beat Spain. I still think we’ll see a Germany vs. Spain in the final on sunday. By the way, I’ll be sending you your gloves and your dvd soon.
    Best wishes from Madrid,
    Angel

    Reply
  • Alban

    Well, you were right, Angel, what can I say, and tomorrow we’ll know that Spain got lucky for once and beat the German “black beast” 🙂 No, seriously, the Spanish have the much better team, but you never know, as underdogs the Germans can play much better than when they are supposed to win (like against Turkey, what a piece of work that was..).
    Best wishes from rainy Berlin,
    Alban

    Reply
  • Alban

    Sorry for being so late, but congratulations to the Spanish, they really deserved to win the European Championship last week, there played so well. And Rafael Nadal also deserves to win Wimbledon, he is absolutely amazing! And so cute 🙂

    Good night,
    Alban

    Reply

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