Comments on: Being or at least acting important

By: ABC

ABC — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:11:42 +0000

This comment is very late (a year after!) but I have to be honest in that I’ve only heard of you when you came to play here in the Philippines just a few days ago. It was a wonderful experience and I believe your personality also played a big part in that. After the performances, seeing you focus only on the person you were currently talking to (part of the audience) until they were finished, engaging in real meaningful conversation and not making them feel like they have to cut it short because you have somewhere else to go to was refreshing to say the least — that kind of attitude/approach surely gets respect and admiration, at least in my book.

The air of superiority will probably work the first time for some but most people will eventually tire of putting up with it.

By: David Nice

David Nice — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:16:09 +0000

Curiously, I don’t think Slava played that little Fantasy – no-one even seems to know for whom it was written – there’s another concerto on ‘Rostropovich: the Russian Years’.

Just heard the snippet of the Kodaly – what amazing music! Have I missed the CD or was that one from your special collection? These little clips include such a feast of repertoire about which one immediately thinks – I must go out and get that immediately.

All best,

David

By: Alban

Alban — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:03:09 +0000

Thank you all very much for the encouragement, I appreciate the fact that you believe I might get some respect being more or less myself also – even though I know for a fact that being difficult makes you also more interesting; but since I am not really difficult, I am not starting to put on a show, because that is the least convincing and won’t help much either. And who cares if people take me for granted? I am for granted 🙂
Thanks for the advice, David, will have a listen to the Weinberg which I might actually have on cd with Rostropovich. I am honoured that you got my cd’s, and I pray that you won’t be disappointed by my Prokofiev. Didn’t come easy indeed, and I know it will be quite different to the recording you quoted in our interview. Better? I don’t know, but different for sure!
Have to get some sleep before flying to Canada tommorrow morning,
best wishes,
Alban

By: Judy

Judy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:43:06 +0000

May I just say, Alban, that as a member of the audience at one of your concerts, I was very appreciative of how down-to-earth you were afterwards, taking the time to chat with me as you were signing autographs. I’ve met many soloists before and after concerts – although most of them were quite friendly, few were as personable as you. It’s definitely something to keep; I think most people will respect you far more than any of those “divas.”

By: joel

joel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:47:55 +0000

Your attitude is refreshing, but also realistic.

Though some artists may be tempted to strike the poses that worked so well for virtuosi since Liszt, we would all do well to remember the humility it took for dear old Haydn to move among the shadows of the Esterhazy, laboring down the years as their virtual servant.

True genius needs no pose to reach the sun.

May you continue to enjoy great success.

By: David Nice

David Nice — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:45:35 +0000

Yes, you are a very good case in point: after our talk, I made it a point of honour (and genuine enthusiasm) to reply to all the main folk involved. Suffice it to say I only heard, via this website, from you – and our presenter has yet to respond. Holidays may be an explanation, but then surely it’s professional to have what my American e-mail supplier calls a ‘vacation reply’ up and running.

Indeed, people say ‘you shouldn’t expect a reply by e-mail’ and ‘you know, other folk are incredibly busy’. But how long, once you’ve received the message, does it take to reply ‘And thank you too?’ About five seconds.

Anyway, I hope you didn’t mind me putting up that picture of we three on the blog. We, at least, look jolly.

Looking forward to the Prokofiev disc – and have now, inspired by your snippets, got copies of the Reger – haunting indeed – Enescu, Shostakovich/Schnittke and Bridge discs. Also had, from Chandos, the disc of concertos by Mieczyslaw Weinberg. The Fantasy for cello and orchestra might interest you: written, like the Symphony-Concerto, in the dark time of 1951-2 and getting round the necessary simplicity on its own striking terms. The main first-movement theme is a winner.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:34:32 +0000

Hi Alban,

your story about the piano tuner reminds me of Glenn Gould: His piano tuner (he only used one ) once stated in an interview that Gould would make appointments with him at least a month in advance, but that this respectful treatment and consideration was by no means the norm. What he didnÂ´t mention but I think goes without saying, is that of course many of the less considerate persons were hardly in GouldÂ´s caliber -and I think GouldÂ´s “eccentricities ” are pretty well known. I always found this anecdote refreshing, and I think that a lot of people do try to make themselves self-important by being stand-offish. I think everyone , regardless of what oneÂ´s profession is, appreciates it when someone who without question is busy, nonetheless doesnÂ´t make a big deal about it or turn it into some sortÂ´ve ego platform.
Hats off to you for your attitude!
Best
S