London's The Telegraph describes Russian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov’s playing as having “brilliance, but also a caressing, almost sly intimacy.” Kolesnikov was named Prize Laureate of Canada’s Honens International Piano Competition in 2012.
1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?
Being interrupted is a good thing, in fact, when one works with high concentration. Doing little bits of different things makes it possible to work more effectively for longer periods of time, and this is how I always try to build my practicing. I often jump from one piece to another and have many little breaks to do something completely different. Life may feel a little bit fragmented and disordered, but it suddenly gains harmony when you realize that many different things mature at the same time. This is how it is at the moment (Monday, May 27), because I am leaving for the Spoleto Festival tomorrow morning to enjoy ten days of intense chamber music making. Running through the scores to be presented to the unpredictable Gods of Chamber Music in a few days is a little bit like zipping your travel bag thinking: "What did I forget?"
2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?
Pre-planning your impressions is the worst thing when attending a concert. Artists are mere people first of all, and the most anticipated concert may turn out to be a disappointment. "Expect nothing, be ready for a miracle" – would be a good motto for a listener. Also it is a good sign if many little coincidences come together to bring you to a concert. I like this feeling of great music calling for me.
3. How about as a music maker/player?
For the same reason the artist cannot predict which concert will be the most enjoyable for him, there are hundreds of different factors which enhance or destroy the concert and they all have different weights as well. Because of that the concert you were in doubt about may unexpectedly become your best concert in the season. Apart from that, nominally, I am very much looking forward to a very special experience, both with fear and excitement – the most extraordinary set of pieces by Tchaikovsky, The Seasons, is to be recorded along with Op.19 in August and released on the Hyperion label in 2014. These pieces bring to life with incredible power the reality of a different country, the great wonderland Russia, which doesn’t exist anymore and can’t be confused with the country as it is today. The three days of the recording will be a travel in a very fragile vessel, to the past so unknown and yet so dear.
4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?
I am preparing for many things. Actually, most of the things for this summer are already prepared to the extent that I can influence the process. I am sure when working on a music piece that one has to remember the other companion is also working on it: Time!
You must let it do its work. The next season is intense and exciting. A refined combination of Rameau, Debussy and Chopin has been programmed for my Wigmore Hall recital in January, so I have to be careful.
WEBSITE
honens.com/Laureates/Pavel-Kolesnikov.aspx
VIDEO
HONENS PRIZE LAUREATE 2012: Pavel Kolesnikov from Honens on Vimeo.
