au 15 Questions to Ali Wood

With both a full-on solo career and a band (Metaphor), whose reputation is growing at the speed of light, some will argue it is easy for Australian-in-Los-Angeles Ali Wood to claim that Classical music is not facing a crisis. But a short glimpse at her personal history proves that success has not always come that easy. There were even times, when her teacher was actively dissuading her to pick up playing the piano and go for the flute instead. Luckily for her and music, she chose to follow her own intuition in this question and went for those beautiful black and white keys, which can mean the world. There's been no stopping her ever since. She started touring at the frail age of 17, was the first Australian pianist to make an American debut at Carnegie Hall and she has played on all continents save Antarctica. Words like "magnetism" and "charming" have been used to decribe her performances, but her on-stage persona is much more than that. With a position somewhere between Elvis (her Las Vegas show!), Billy Joel (the splits between Classical and Pop, between the intimate and the all-embracing) and Horowitz (the eternal search for the magic of the moment), it should not seem inappropriate that she is now being managed by the same man who takes care of Engelbert Humperdink's affairs. Traditionalists will certainly feel a little uncomfortable at first - how can someone with such an affinity towards showmanship and technology be a fervent fan of the old masters? But the sheer energy of her concerts has up to now won over even the most stubborn of listeners. It may at times be a long and winding road, but then again Ali knows how to laugh in the face of occasional scepticism.

Hi! How are you? Where are you?
I am writing music for Metaphor at my home in Los Angeles.


What’s on your schedule right now?
Metaphor is my big commitment at the moment. We are in the process of organizing a world tour for the beginning of next year which will begin in Australia, China and South East Asia.


If you hadn’t chosen music, what do you think you would do right now?
What I would want to do is be an equestrienne, treasure hunter or cordon bleu chef. Whether I could actually make a living out of those things is another matter.


What or who was your biggest influence as an artist?
As a concert pianist, Vladimir Horowitz, as a rock group, Green Day, and as an entertainer, Elton John.


What’s the hardest part about being a musician and what’s the best?
The most difficult thing about being a musician is succeeding at the level you are aiming for. The best is the lifestyle ... music, travel, performing.


What’s your view on the classical music scene at present? Is there a crisis?
No. It is just evolving, and there is nothing wrong with that. Classical music needs to embrace technology in terms of marketing and sales to make it financially viable. Classical crossover is growing at an incredible rate as it creates new sounds and audiences.


Some feel there is no need to record classical music any more, that it’s all been done before. What do you tell them?
I can never get enough of my favorite artists and will always buy their latest albums.


What constitutes a good live performance in your opinion? What’s your approach to performing on stage?
A good performance must be visually and sonically exciting. The needs of the audience must be considered. High production values can help draw new audiences to classical music.


What does the word “interpretation” mean to you?
The way you express yourself, and the intentions of the composer simultaneously.


True or false: It is the duty of an artist to put his personal emotions into the music he plays.
True. An audience loves the artist as well as the composer and music, and wants to hear what they have to say too.


True or false: “Music is my first love”
True. But I have since found others.


True or false: People need to be educated about classical music, before they can really appreciate it.
Some experimental forms of classical music can only be understood through a certain level of education. But there is plenty that can be enjoyed with no education, just an open mind.


You are given the position of artistic director of a concert hall. What would be on your program for this season?
Of course I am going to say Metaphor. Apart from that, I would try to create events that can cater to all publics ... some serious for established concert goers, and others with guests such as Andre Rieu, or The Rolling Stones, which would create publicity and build new audiences.


What’s your favourite classical CD at the moment?
Alexei Sultanov, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2.


Have you ever tried playing a different instrument? If yes, how good were you at it?
Recorder in grade 4, violin for 6 months. Apparently I was “too small” to play violin; I was told the same thing for piano. Guess I proved them wrong!


Discography:
Fingers
Famous Stuff
Pictures at an exhibition
Las Vegas Show

Homepage:
Ali Wood
Ali Wood and Metaphor

By Tobias Fischer, published 2006-10-22

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