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INTERNATIONAL RACHMANINOFF CONFERENCE 2007 NEW YORK CITY, 21–23 SEPTEMBER 2007
A personal account by John Malpass, Rachmaninoff Society Trustee
22 September
After many months of anticipation, we arrived early at the Yamaha Artists Services Institute in New York (in the former Aeolian Building on 5th Avenue, offering a superb small concert hall), eager to meet old friends and enjoy the music. We came from the UK via Montreal, and the timing of our journey south meant that we reached the city too late to enjoy the 'Meet and Greet' dinner on the Friday.
After warm greetings by our Master of Ceremonies, Steve Schoenbaum, we started with the Cello Sonata, Op. 19, in a performance by Bernie Tamosaitis and Debra Takakjian. As always, I found it almost unbearably moving. Elger Niels then led a thought-provoking discussion which included a surprise guest, the pianist Ruth Slenczynska, now in her sprightly 80s, who had played for Rachmaninoff as a very young girl (she made her concert debut in Berlin at age six!). She gave us many fascinating reminiscences including snippets from her time at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia studying with Josef Hofmann and memories of her many illustrious co-students (including Samuel Barber). Of course, the 3rd Concerto, the focus of the New York Conference was dedicated to Josef Hofmann, who, though regarded by Rachmaninoff as the greatest pianist of his day, never felt able to play it in public.
A film 'Memories of John Browning' by Salome Arkatov (2006) kept the past alive with significant contributions from Rosina Lhevinne whose philosophy and the principles of the old 'Russian School' were major influences on Browning. I was enthralled by the personality and pianistic skills of John Browning (not to mention Rosina) and found it a timely 'wake-up' call to explore his discography further.
After lunch, we were treated to a selection of the vocal music of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikowsky in beautiful, atmospheric performances by soprano Anya Fidelia and the Georgian baritone Zurab Ninua, with Milana Strezeva-Bahl as an equal partner at the piano. The songs of Rachmaninoff were the highlight for me, although the final duet from Evgeny Onegin was also memorable.
The traditional 'Member's Concert' offered a varied selection of the Russian repertoire, played to a very high standard (enough to drive some of us to despair at our own miserable efforts). Six Preludes from Op. 23 and 32 played by the 18-year-old Moscow-born Alexei Tartakovski were stunning. Neil McKelvie offered a thoughtful selection of Scriabin, Bortkiewicz, and an idiomatic version of Rachmaninoff's 'In the Silence of the Mysterious Night' arranged by the British composer Ronald Stevenson. A 'surprise guest' was promised and, as we sat in silence, the piano keys began to move and we heard the sound of Rachmaninoff himself, invisible at the Yamaha grand piano, playing Chopin, courtesy of the impressive Yamaha 'Disklavier' recording system. Wonderful pianism, fantastic sound, and the first time we have ever heard 'live' from Rachmaninoff himself at one of our meetings. An inspired idea! A hard act to follow, but, Amitai Schlair rose to the challenge, playing Medtner's Sonata Reminiscenza, Op. 38. And, talking of pianistic challenges, Rita Anthoine and Dr. Michael Errico brought the concert to a rousing conclusion with the Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, arranged for 2 pianos.
And there was yet more to come after dinner. The Taiwan-born pianist Ching-Yun Hu played a varied programmed of Bach Preludes, the Chopin Rondo in E-flat major, Op. 16, and transfixed us with a memorable performance of Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit. Such delicacy, such strength, and yet such deceptively effortless playing! Her final, triumphant offering, Rachmaninoff's Sonata No. 2, Op. 36, was still ringing in our ears as we set off into the night back to our hotels.
23 September
Sunday took us past Central Park to the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Centre. The initial idea to ask our President, Maestro Ashkenazy, to join us and to provide the focus for our Conference by presenting a public rehearsal and conduct a concert performance of the 3rd Concerto had been taken up by the Juilliard and transformed into a major event hosted jointly with the Society. This provided us with a superb venue for the Annual General Meeting of the Society in Morse Hall. The AGM dealt with a number of items, not least the approval of the revisions to the Society's Constitution (Newsletter 69). The traditional Society Auction followed. In preparation for the concert, Ian Flint brought his great experience, insight and presentational skills to a wider audience in his Public Lecture: 'An Introduction to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3'.
The Committee and Trustees of the Society had been invited by the Juilliard School to join Vladimir Ashkenazy and his wife for lunch, together with the soloist Hong Xu (a young soloist chosen by the Juilliard on a competitive basis), the top management of the Juilliard School, a number of major Juilliard Patrons, and Hong Xu's parents who had flown in from China. The President expressed his great pleasure that the School had been able to join with the Society in presenting such a significant event, and promised a 'full house' in the Juilliard's large concert hall.
And indeed, the public rehearsal followed to a packed hall. Maestro Ashkenazy showed his sensitivity and concern for the young soloist after a complete run-through of the concerto – he made some suggestions for minor improvements and asked Mr. Xu about areas of concern he might have. Minor improvements were made but the fundamentals were sound and strong. It was an interesting interaction between conductor and soloist. There was never any question of Maestro Ashkenazy imposing his own views on Hong Xu, despite having played and recorded the concerto so many times himself; he just provided gentle and generous support for the young man in the 'hot seat'. And let us not forget the Juilliard orchestra which played superbly – what an impressive ensemble, every instrumentalist responding so sensitively and enthusiastically to the conductor – what a day it must have been for them, too, playing under the Maestro!
Then, after a short break, came the real test of Mr. Xu's composure. A full concert performance – his third that day (there had been a full orchestral rehearsal during the morning). A New York Times review described this more authoritatively than I can. Suffice it to say that the audience was bowled over by the performance which showed, not just Hong Xu's technical skill and feel for the music of Rachmaninoff, but also his immense mental and physical strength. Perhaps he tired a little towards the end of the exceptionally demanding finale, but it hardly showed and the audience was with him all the way. This was a triumphant performance for such a young man at the start of a dazzling career.
As the audience recovered, the stage was re-configured for a question and answer session with Vladimir Ashkenazy, Hong Xu, and Geoffrey Norris, the Rachmaninoff scholar and author of the book 'Rachmaninoff' in the 'Master Musicians'series who is also music critic of the Telegraph in the UK and an Honorary member of the Society. The panel discussion provided a fascinating mix of perspectives from soloist, conductor and critic and was chaired in masterly fashion by Ara Guzelimian, the Juilliard Provost and Dean.
There was a real buzz of appreciation and pleasure as Members of the Society and invited guests made their way to a reception, hosted by the Juilliard School. We enjoyed wine and canapés and looked forward to the next event – the final dinner at the Russian Samovar restaurant. The big question – as we walked out of the Juilliard into the New York sunshine - would Maestro Ashkenazy join us? The answer was a big 'yes'!
After a traditional Russian meal (with lots and lots of vodka and wine), our President and his wife joined us and circulated, chatting easily to members. A chance for some of us to thank him for the great pleasure he has given us over many decades and to learn what a gentle, modest, generous person he is. Later in the evening, our Chairman, Wouter de Voogd, presented Mr. Ashkenazy with gifts from the Society including a framed photograph of Rachmaninoff in concert (the famous photograph used on our Home page) and our Treasurer, Judicaelle Hammond, presented him with bottles of rare Bordeaux wine.
This relaxed event provided a fitting climax to a wonderful weekend – an event which more than justified the incredible efforts made by so many people to bring it to fruition – especially Elger, Wouter, Judicaelle and, crucially, the long, hard work by Rita Anthoine and her team in New York. I'm sure the satisfaction at seeing a good idea turned into such a successful Conference must have eclipsed memories of all their time and effort, the pressures and uncertainties (which the happy participants rarely glimpse). Well done, everybody!
Many people travelled a long way to enjoy this event and it was certainly worth it. Members who didn't make it – make sure you don't miss the next Conference!
John Malpass Rachmaninoff Society Trustee
To download the full Conference programme (373KB pdf file) , click here.
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Updated 11 February 2008
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