Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | C | Czech Music

Not just play the notes.

Article Excerpt
The violinist Gabriela Demeterova is already one of the established stars of the Czech music scene. Apart from performing she is also involved in organising a festival devoted to Baroque music and she is the leader of the ensemble known as the Collegium of Czech Philharmonists, with whom she plays this music. Last Autumn she released a CD of Karel Stamic duets for violin and viola, playing both the parts herself. She first presented herself live as a violist in mid-November in the Rudolfinum in Prague. Our interview took place during a pause between rehearsals for this concert, and included the pianist Marketa Cibulkova as well as Gabriela Demeterova. The former is now studying in Graz in Austria and has already, for example, worked with Charles Mackeras and the Czech Philharmonic.

What pieces can we look forward to at this concert?

MC In the first half there will be Hindemith's Trauermusik for viola and piano and Shostakovich's Sonata for Viola and Piano. In the second half we've put cheerful violin pieces like Kreisler's Chinese Tambourine, Sarasate's Gypsy Melodies and Prokofiev's Three Pieces from Romeo and Juliet.

Why have you decided to take on the viola as well as the violin?

GD Because I like to get to grips with difficult tasks and I don't like just sticking in the same spot The velvet tone of the viola has always fascinated me, and its a very pleasant change for the ear after the violin, which is more incisive and dominating. But the main reason is that the viola extends my repertoire, since there are beautiful pieces for the viola, like the Shostakovitch Sonata, for example, that hasn't been played in the Czech Republic for a long time, and may not be heard for a long time to come here either. It's a very momentous piece, which is not often performed. I said to myself -- why not choose something non-traditional to start with? And I also wanted to use it to launch a series of concerts in which I want to offer the public a rather more diverse programme. Alternating the violin and viola might also be more interesting for audiences than the classic violin recital that everyone offers.

The viola has the...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!