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It was -15 degrees when we arrived in Moscow. Felt like my
hometown!
The streets are wide, the building are majestic, and seeing the
Red Square was a privilege.
But three things have always signified Moscow and Russia to me:
great chess players, great hockey players, and great pianists!
The screening auditions are being held at the Tchaikovsky
Conservatory in the Rachmaninov Hall. (It is next to the
Tchaïkovsky Hall, the large hall, where Van Cliburn won the
inaugural Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958). The Conservatory is
historic and significant. If only the walls could
talk--Rachmaninov, Gilels, Richter, and Lupu, among many others
were part of this prestigious institution.
Everywhere you go, there is music. My favorite is the
harpsichord player in the stairway… The sound was amazing.
When we arrived in the jury room, a very (very) old room, the
coordinator told us: "Yes, it is old, but this couch was
Rachmaninov's couch…" Immediately, Andrea Bonatta put his hands on
the couch to feel it… :)
The Moscow Conservatory is still one of the most prestigious
musical institutions in the world, and, despite the globalization
of piano instruction, the Russians still hold a special space in
the piano world and in my heart.
By now you must understand that I will not comment on the
pianists to whom we are listening or on their repertoire. But I can
surely share that spending all of this time listening to these
wonderful pianists and the fantastic repertoire is a real
privilege. For the 2017 Screening Auditions, we should organize a
group trip! I am sure that all piano lovers would revel in this
wonderful opportunity. Food for thought...
-- Jacques
Souvenir de voyage: There is a song by Gilbert
Bécaud, the French songwriter, that talked about the Red Square,
the Lenine Mausolée, and the Café Pouchkine. I have been listening
to this song (called "Nathalie") for a long time. Now, I have had
the chance to live it!
Food of the day: Coming to Moscow also meant
Vodka and Borscht… Check!
Quote of the day: "To listen is an effort, and
just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also." -- Igor
Stravinsky
Special note: And, Moscow is also the hometown
of Yuli Turovsky, who died yesterday. He was an
internationally-recognized cellist and conductor. A jury member of
the Montreal Violin Competition a few years ago, he used to tell
me : "I am here to find a musician…" Founder of I Musici, he
adopted Montreal as his new city. Yuli, we will miss you…
Poster for Screening Auditions and masterclasses by jury
members
Jury members in front of St. Basil's Cathedral
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