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15 Questions to Sharon Bezaly

  Tobias

Hi! How are you? Where are you?
After extensive travelling, I am now at home, on a small and picturesque island – Tranholmen - in the Swedish archipelago

What’s on your schedule right now?
Two concerts in Cyprus with the Cyprus sate Orchestra playing Mozart. One of them is a special concert for the UN day in Nicosia, A recording for the BBC – Bach program, a tour to Austria and Germany with the Camerata Salzburg – Mozart, Concerts with the BBC Sym. Orch./ Brabbins – Gubaidulina and the Belgium National Orchetra/Franck - Mozart.

If you hadn’t chosen for music, what do you think you would do right now?
That’s a tough one... Music has been such an integral part of my life for such a long time that I really can’t imagine doing something else.

What or who was your biggest influence as an artist?
Zubin Mehta my first experience of a great Maestro when I was 14. Rampal, who encouraged me to continue my studies in Paris - with his great natural talent and joix de vivre. The genius of Sandor Vegh, some people are indeed irreplaceable! Last but not least, my husband Robert von Bahr for being such an inspiration for discovering and commissioning new music  

What’s the hardest part about being a musician and what’s the best?
The hardest part is that touring as a soloist can be quite lonely at times.  Also, the travels are strenuous.  The best part is that you meet so many fascinating people from different cultures. Ah yes, the applause at the end of a concert…


What’s your view on the classical music scene at present? Is there a crisis?
People often talk about a crisis… I rather see it as a challenge, to try to interest audiences! Anyway, we simply have to accept the fact that compared to pop music, classical music has a very very small market…


Some feel there is no need to record classical music any more, that it’s all been done before. What do you tell them?
Not all has been done before!!! We record a lot of new music! As for the rest, that is the beauty of music, even if it ‘has been done before’, other artists or even the same ones who have ‘done it before’ have something new they want to share with the rest of the world.  Music is a living form of art.


What constitutes a good live performance in your opinion? What’s your approach to performing on stage?
The excitement and emotions, taking a risk for the sake of the music. When on stage, I try to communicate with the audience, who gives me the inspiration to give all I can.

What does the word “interpretation” mean to you?
Bringing the written music to life

True or false: It is the duty of an artist to put his personal emotions into the music he plays.
True

True or false: “Music is my first love”
Excluding my nearest and dearest, true

True or false: People need to be educated about classical music, before they can really appreciate it.
False

You are given the position of artistic director of a concert hall. What would be on your program for this season?
I would try to have a combination of newcomers and established artists, of new music and known works -  as many of the concert halls directors are doing -  for specific details, I’ll have to get the job first…

What’s your favourite classical CD at the moment?
Beethoven 9th with Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra

Have you ever tried playing a different instrument? If yes, how good were you at it?
With my Mother being a pianist, of course I never wanted to come near it, which I regret today… I took up the recorder by myself as a child before starting with flute, and was for a self-taught, not too bad…

Discography:
Bridge across the Pyrenees - Flute Concertos (2006) BIS
Gubaidulina - ... The Deceitful Face of Hope and Despair (2006) BIS
Bezaly and Brautigam - Masterworks for Flute and Piano (2006) BIS
Mozart - Flute Concertos (2006) BIS
Nordic Spell - Concertos for Flute and Orchestra (2005) BIS
Christian Lindberg - A composer´s portrait (2005) BIS
Solo Flute from A to Z - Vol.3  (2004) BIS
Paul Kletzki - Symphony No.3 In memoriam (2004) BIS
Chamber Music for Flute, Viola and Piano (2003) BIS
Solo Flute from A to Z - Vol.2 (2003) BIS
Apéritif - A French Collection for Flute and Orchestra (2002) BIS
Takemitsu - A String Around Autumn (2002) BIS
Antal Dorati - Night Music (2002) BIS
Café au lait - Music for Flute and Piano (2001) BIS
Solo Flute from A to Z - Vol.1 (2001) BIS
Bright Sheng: Flute Moon - China Dreams - Postcards (2000) BIS
Mozart - Flute Quartets (2000) BIS
Flutissimo (1999)
The Israeli Connection - flute and piano (1998) BIS
Rota - Chamber Music (1997) BIS

Homepage:
Sharon Bezaly

Picture by Anders Krison