15 Questions to Lidia Baich

Hi! How are you? Where are you?
I´m fine, I´m in Vienna.


What’s on your schedule right now?
Doing the hair of my persian cat. Preparing for the concerts with Lorin Maazel.


If you hadn’t chosen for music, what do you think you would do right now?
Studying natural sciences, work for discovery channel, greenpeace or wwf, being an archeologist or vet-doctor.


What or who was your biggest influence as an artist?
I get my influences and inspirations from many different things. Composers like Prokoffiev, Bach, Schubert, Tschaikovsky, artists like Hiefetz, Oistrach, Salvador Dali,  Bands like Queen, Muse, Beatles, Chicago etc. Different symphonies, operas, ballets and from pictures, nature, love, feelings and much more.


What’s the hardest part about being a musician and what’s the best?
The hardest part: being a musician.
The best part: being a musician.


What’s your view on the classical music scene at present? Is there a crisis?
There is a crisis indeed, the classical scene will have to reinvent itself.


Some feel there is no need to record classical music any more, that it’s all been done before. What do you tell them?
They´re right. Why should anybody bother and buy 20 different recordings from the same work? Do some new stuff! Examples: connect classic with rock. Make new arrangements. Go and write your own music. Keep eyes and ears open.


What constitutes a good live performance in your opinion? What’s your approach to performing on stage?

(No Answer)


What does the word “interpretation” mean to you?
Never be afraid to put your very personal feelings an emotions into the piece you´re playing. And at the same time always show respect for the guy who wrote it.


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”
True.


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


You are given the position of artistic director of a concert hall. What would be on your program for this season?
No Mozart, no Shostakovich ;-)


What’s your favourite classical CD at the moment?
The Prokoffiev symphonies conducted by Seiji Ozawa.


Have you ever tried playing a different instrument? If yes, how good were you at it?
The electric bass guitar. I think I´m slightly  better a violonist.


Homepage:
Lidia Baich