The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra will present 'Rhapsody' this month, at The Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood (Sydney).
'Rhapsody' will star internationally-renowned concert pianist Konstantin Shamray. This prize-winning, Australian-based, Russian-born pianist will play Sergei Rachmaninov's 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' under the baton of Dr Nicholas Milton AM.
Konstantin won both Judges' and People's Choice prizes at the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2008. Since, he's enjoyed critical acclaim, for performances with orchestras and chamber music groups around the world.
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra will also play Alexander Borodin's lively 'Polovtsian Dances' from 'Prince Igor', and Dmitri Shostakovich’s mighty Fifth Symphony.
Here, we speak to Konstantin Shamray and learn what to expect in the show, as well as his first memories with music and his favourite things about live performance.
What can audiences expect in ‘Rhapsody’?
A lot of fun and fireworks. And, of course, the genius of Rachmaninov.
Talk a little bit about your experience as a pianist – what do you love most about it?
I personally love the fact that you can never reach the absolute, you can only go towards some ideal world, but it is always far away. Also, on a daily basis you deal with the best of the best, genius composers and their work, what can be compared with it?!
What’s your first memory of playing on a piano?
My daddy trying to teach me something, and me having no idea what is going on. Later on dad said to mum that “probably with this boy we have no chance", she disagreed and gave me to an elderly babushka to study with, and things moved fast.
You’ll be playing ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’. Tell us a bit about this piece.
It is one of the later works by Rachmaninov, written in emigration. It is definitely different to his piano concerti, pianistically and emotionally too. Hard to talk about music, may be better if we let it talk for itself.
What’s your favourite thing about being a part of something like this?
Collaboration, camaraderie, 100 people playing all together, and you being a part of it!
For those new to the world of orchestras and symphonies. . . How much rehearsal goes into a performance like this?
If you are asking about rehearsal with an orchestra – it depends on the situation. Often conductor and soloist meet first, discuss interpretation and go through some tricky bits, then two or three rehearsals with the orchestra.
Describe ‘Rhapsody’ in three words.
Come listen yourself!
'Rhapsody' plays The Concourse Concert Hall (Chatswood) 27-28 July.
