Happy summer!

Posted by Judith - 05/07/10 at 12:07:28 am

In my last post I welcomed in the spring, and today it’s summer! It’s time for sun, heat and al fresco dining. In Madrid, the heat can become unbearable during the day so when the sun goes down the terraces come alive. I love to sit on one of them and enjoy the sunset, chatting with friends, catching up on each others lives. It is these simple moments that ennoble us.

This spring was very good to me. It started off with Yamaha Spain inviting me to Frankfurt for the presentation of their new concert grand. To try out the new piano we had the pleasure of hearing Piotr Anderszewski play. Of course, with a pianist like him, the piano sounded great, especially playing Schumann – it was a rare treat to hear Anderszewski render the Six Studies in Canon Form op. 56.

A few days later I was performing at the Rompeolas Festival, in support of San Sebastian’s candidature for City of Culture 2016. It was an unforgettable experience — 140 people on stage at dawn with the spectacular Victoria Eugenia Theatre in the background, and listening to María Berasarte … a strong voice, full of style, of nuances, of music. We understood each other well right from the first rehearsal, it was one of those musical infatuations where there is no need for words and everything flows just by playing. I loved delving into other types of music such as Brazilian, a bit of jazz, a bit of tango. Thanks, María, for introducing me to your world and for letting me be myself, without restraint.

After the concert, I went back to Madrid to concentrate on one of the most important of my recent projects — the recording of my first solo album, for the Columna Música label and part of the Juventudes Musicales Collection. I was lucky to be able to choose the repertoire myself, and Schumann was my choice. I’ve had a soft spot for him ever since I was young. I like the two sides of his character — on the one hand he is idealistic; a dreamer; nostalgic; intimate and delicate and on the other he is passionate; irrational; tormented and temperamental — his brutal switches from one to the other and the way he goes from man’s deepest miseries to the purest of metaphysics. The album will feature Papillons op.2, Allegro op.8, Fantasiestücke op.12 and Arabesque op.18.

I let myself be fully advised by the great sound engineer who handled the recording, José Miguel Martínez, and we went to the auditorium of San Fernando College to perform. The place is on the outskirts of Madrid, it’s quiet, has great acoustics and we felt at home from day one. Here I have to give a huge THANKS to Hazen for putting the best piano in my life at my disposal. A few weeks before, Radu Lupu came to the National Auditorium (someone beyond words — I’ll never forget his second movement of Schubert’s 960 Sonata), and when he started playing the piano, and I thought: I want it! So I was very lucky to have a Steinway with the most crystalline treble, rounded bass and the most cantabile central register I have ever played.

My friends told me to be patient, that recordings were sometimes tiresome; the takes, selecting them, the repeats, the lack of adrenaline that you get with performing live, etc. But the truth is, there was such a good atmosphere with the technician, José Miguel, and the artistic director, Jordi Abelló, that I felt very comfortable and confident. I want to thank them for investing all their energy and goodwill in me. And the tuner too, Luis Felipe, who made sure the piano was always at its best. The recording went very smoothly, sometimes I only had to do one or two takes and, all in all, I have good feelings and good memories of those few days. They’re now in the process of editing and mastering the recordings — I can’t wait to hear the final result! The album will be released between September and October and be distributed by Diverdi. There will be a presentation in Barcelona and Madrid in November and you’re all invited!

After my few days of Schumann I got the chance to enjoy a mini-break, which I spent going for long walks in Madrid, a city I love more and more each day. One day was invited to the film premiere of ‘La vida empieza hoy’ (Life Begins Today), by Laura Mañá, which I highly recommend. It was hilarious, yet very intimate, with veteran stars such as Pilar Bardem, who is very endearing in her role. I also went to see The Blind Side, which won Sandra Bullock an Oscar. That’s not to be missed either! It’s a true story, and I’m sure you’ll leave the cinema with a desire to live life and to help those in need.

Now it’s time for me to go get back to studying and planning programmes, with my next date just around the corner: I will be in Robles the last weekend of July to attend a small, intimate festival organised by the great Spanish pianist Rosa Torres Pardo. These will be two days of music and fun in a beautiful remote little town in Castilla y León. I’ll let you know how it goes! But until then, enjoy the sun!

Madrid-Bilbao-Málaga

Posted by Judith - 20/03/10 at 07:03:19 pm

It’s happened again … I’ve left it too long to write in my blog! I’ll continue on from where I finished last time: at Christmas.

I started the year in the best way possible, with my family in my town of San Sebastian, which for me is the best city in the world, and is a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2016, for which it has my heartfelt support. As a matter of fact, my next concert will be part of a weekend packed with cultural activities to promote the city and to get Europe’s attention. When they called and asked me if I would like to take part I didn’t think twice about contacting the singer Maria Berasarte and suggesting that we do a concert together. Maria is a great artist; she has dedicated the last few years to fado and recently made a record for Universal based on her work. So, we decided to take a gamble and fuse my classical style with her jazz, flamenco and fado influences in an intimate and original programme. We are proud to be able to bring this moment to our city, and do so with all our affection.

After the New Year I returned to Madrid to focus on my upcoming projects, which included a Jóvenes Intérpretes de Scherzo recital in Madrid, the Musika-Musica Festival in Bilbao and Chopin’s First Concerto with the Concerto Málaga Orchestra. Before the concerts I returned to Munich to shut myself away with Suchanov for five days. I had forgotten what the winters were like there. It was freezing cold and the best place to be was at my piano in the studio I rent when I go there, near Marienplatz. I spent several hours in the studio and many more with Suchanov. I always come back excited about the new ideas he gives me; he’s such a pure artist and gives me lots of encouragement. He’s one of those people who never ceases to amaze.

On 23 February I had the pleasure of playing in the beautiful Zarzuela Theatre in Madrid. A recital in the Ciclo de Jóvenes Intérpretes, organized by Scherzo Foundation. The recital featured works by Liszt, Debussy, Mompou and Chopin and was recorded by Radio Clásica of RNE (Spain’s national radio station). On the same day and at the same time the Berlin Philharmonic with Simon Rattle were in the Auditorium, and if that wasn’t enough, there was a demonstration in progress which prevented access to the theatre by car. However, despite all these obstacles to filling the hall everything turned out wonderfully. Apart from the fact that the stalls were full, the audience was fantastic, attentive and respectful and wanted to like me from the moment I came on stage. They made me feel relaxed, right from the First Consolation by Liszt to the First Impromptus by Chopin, which I gave as a little tip. Thanks to all of you! After the concert, I presented Yamaha’s Avant Grand, a brilliant new invention from this house, another step forward in narrowing the sound difference between electronic pianos and their acoustic counterparts. Something to be considered.

A few days later, I flew to Bilbao. It was my third year in Musika-Música. As I was giving a recital on two separate days, I had a chance to take in the festival atmosphere a bit more this year. It truly is incredible. Three days filled with concerts from 1 to 9pm in the Palacio Euskalduna. The turnout was amazing – I think about 25,000 tickets were sold this year. Public and artists alike mingled in the queues for concerts or for the Auditorium restaurant. At last we were able to get a bit closer to these people who took the time to come to hear us and to enjoy the music with us. This year the focus was on Chopin, Schumann, Liszt and Mendelssohn. And congratulations to the organisers – it was a resounding success.

And finally, Malaga, with the Málaga Concerto String Orchestra. This is a young orchestra, with all the enthusiasm and energy that youth entails. They are determined and hard-working so I’m sure they’ll go far. Next step: to discover Latin America together! Let’s hope it’s soon.

Well, that’s all my news for the moment. By the time I write the next post I will have reached a quarter of a century: 25 years of age. I know you shouldn’t make a wish when blowing out the candles, but I hope that this year will continue to bring the same joys and great moments with my people, my piano and our music.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by Judith - 25/12/09 at 10:12:17 pm

Merry Christmas!!

I don’t know who is going to read this post, but whoever you are, I hope you are having a great time with your family. 

I really enjoyed my last year’s concert in Seville! Good hall, good piano and good audience. And it is always nice for me to be with Liszt, Debussy, Mompou and Chopin.

So let’s end this year full of hapiness and begin the 2010 full of hopes!

Santa Cristina-La Línea-Bilbao

Posted by Judith - 03/12/09 at 08:12:10 pm

The other day I went to a workshop on digital marketing in Madrid, organised by the AIE (Performers Association in Spain). It was really good; run by a guy called Juan Paz, who works for the company Music Ally in London. When he asked us who had a blog, I raised my hand. When I told him I hadn’t written anything since 31 August though, he was amazed! And rightly so. Sometimes we’re just so busy and have so many things going round in our heads that we can’t even grab a few minutes to sit down and write something. But, as the time for making New Year’s resolutions is fast approaching, one of mine will be to write more regularly.

When I wrote my last post we were heading into autumn, my favourite season. It’s like everything around us is being renewed, as well as ourselves. It’s the final stretch of the year when we still have a chance to fulfil some of those promises we made back in January. At the beginning of autumn I performed a recital in Santa Cristina d’Aro, in Girona. The people, and the church, are excellent. It’s one of the places with the best acoustics that I’ve ever played in, and was just perfect for the programme: Chopin, Debussy and Mompou. I’d love to go back there again if the opportunity arises.

After a few days of rest in Boston, I was able to enjoy October in Madrid, working on the upcoming dates. My next performance was in La Línea de la Concepción, in Cadiz. I know I’m repeating myself, but so far I’ve been really lucky to have met fantastic people who welcome me with open arms. Those in La Línea I’ve known for a few years now and it was great to see them again. In these times of crisis, it’s a real pleasure to see that there are still people like them, who fight to keep the music scene alive in the city. And, although they already know it, they have my total support.

The Albéniz Season, sponsored by Caja España, has come to an end. My last recital of the season was in Bilbao. And as the name suggests, it was about Albéniz and composers associated with him. My composer of choice was Mompou, another of the great Catalans, and the Latin Americans Villalobos and Ginastera, in honour of the trips Albéniz made to that part of the world from the time he was a child. It’s music I feel very comfortable with. The recital was at the Bilbao Philharmonic Society, in one of the most historic halls in the city. The dressing rooms were full of photos of the finest artists on their first visit to the Philharmonic. It was exciting to play there, where so many had played before. And Bilbao always leaves me with a good feeling. Maybe it’s because the hall is filled with family and friends who wait at the exit to give me a big hug. Thank you all for your loyalty!

And last, but certainly not least, I want to congratulate Kirmen Uribe on winning the National Literature Award 2009! We both shared music and poetry this summer at the Quincena (Musical Fortnight) in San Sebastian. I’m so delighted for him! So, the next book… Bilbao-New York-Bilbao!

A good summer

Posted by Judith - 31/08/09 at 04:08:37 pm

I can’t believe it’s 31st August already. Everything has gone by so fast that I haven’t even had time to sit down and write. The past two months have been filled with all sorts of emotions, all coming at the same time. Let me start at the beginning.

When I returned from Granada I took a flight to Germany, spending almost 20 days in my ‘second country’ (I lived there for almost 4 years not that long ago). Munich in the summer is fabulous. After the long, cold winter the sun makes the people lift their eyes from the pavement again and look ahead, smile, and enjoy life in the street.

I went there to play for Suchanov, who was my piano teacher when I lived in Munich. I think it’s vital that my teachers continue to listen to my playing, to give me advice, and observe me from the outside, as sometimes we ourselves are not aware of everything. As usual, Suchanov surprised me his ideas, his complete dedication, his infinite generosity. I’ll never find the words to thank him enough for everything he has done for me over the years, the hours of effort and concentration. While I was in Germany, I took a train to Freiburg to see the Margulis’ in their annual master-class. It was interesting to listen to advice from someone who is not so close to you, and is therefore more objective.  

When I returned to Spain, I had a recording to do with Radio Nacional. Two days’ work for half an hour of music. It was very intensive but very gratifying. To be able to listen to yourself and keep going over everything until you’re satisfied is not something you usually get the opportunity to do. Imperfection is one of the most difficult things for musicians to accept. Perfection is demanded of us during our training, but still there is always something we’re not 100% happy with… Thinking about it, it’s a difficult contradiction to come to terms with.

The first festival in August was Peralada, Girona, where I played Schumann’s Piano Quintet with the Ardeo Quartet, made up of four French girls, very different but each of them charming. It was one of the nicest highlights of the summer. I missed sharing the stage, so it was a luxury to be able to perform with them. We got on well right from the beginning and, during the concert, despite the acoustics in the venue not being the best for the Quintet, I really enjoyed myself. I certainly hope that this was the first meeting of many!

Then it was straight from Girona to Granada, to attend Fiapmse in Nigüelas, a young festival that’s getting bigger every year. The small village on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains was completely given over to music for a few days. It was great to breathe in the pure air of the mountains.  

From there it was off to the La Roque d’Anthéron Festival, in the heart of Provence, France. This festival is a legend in European piano circles. It was my second year there but my first time in the park, at night. It was a superb treat to play in a Nuit de Piano, with a Chopin-based programme. You can just imagine what it feels like before going out into a park with 2,400 people watching and waiting for your first note. You take some deep breaths, drink some water, walk around a bit… And then out you go, with the best of intentions, eager to start playing, to enjoy it, to have a good time yourself and hope others have a good time. I managed this; I had a great time, and took away some lovely memories of the evening.

A few days later I was in San Sebastian, my home, the land of my dreams. I played in the Quincena Musical, also for the second year running. This time I played in the Chillida-Leku Season, in a beautiful park with Chillida sculptures and a little country house that they use for concerts during the Quincena. The concert consisted of music from composers who spent time between San Sebastian and Biarritz during the period 1900-1936. I chose to play Aita Donostia, Albéniz, Bartok and Granados. Here too I shared the stage, this time with the writer Kirmen Uribe. The concert was interspersed with music and poetry. I played, and then he recited some texts from authors who were around during this time in the same places as the composers. What can I say about the concert…..I looked into the audience and saw familiar faces, my family, my friends, people I hadn’t seen for years.  It was very moving.  As always, playing on home ground was a pleasure. And being next to Kirmen, yet another pleasure.

Next Saturday, the summer season concludes for me with the Santa Cristina d’Aro Festival. If everything goes well, it will have been a summer that has given me many special moments.

Goodbye Granada

Posted by Judith - 04/07/09 at 04:07:15 pm

The Festival of Granada is now over for me. Three days, three concerts. I return enchanted by it all: the audience were fantastic, I really enjoyed playing the Albéniz and Chopin I told you about in my previous post, and the treatment I received from the people who looked after me over the three days was excellent.
It is a pleasure to play for people who come to enjoy themselves, to leave their world behind for a while and to enjoy the music. As well as that, the whole city is dedicated to the festival, and this also helps make it a success. I’ve taken away with me some great memories of my first time in this festival!
Now, closing the Albéniz books, I open those of Schumann, Bartok, Aita Donostia, Granados, more Chopin… Whenever I finish a programme I feel a sense of nostalgia. After all, these works have been your daily companions and you won’t be together again for some time… But then again, I’m keen to immerse myself in others, and even more so when they’re as gratifying as those that lie ahead!

The Alhambra

Posted by Judith - 30/06/09 at 01:06:47 am

La AlhambraI landed in Granada only a couple of hours ago. Over the next three days I’ll be performing in the International Music Festival here, which is being held in the Alhambra. For those of you who don’t know the Alhambra, here’s a great photo of it.  Being here is a dream – because of the festival itself and the magnificent surroundings, the light, the atmosphere… The photo speaks for itself I suppose!

I’m playing in the “Una Iberia para Albéniz” cycle, to honour the centenary of his death. Some of his lesser-known works that I’ve had the great pleasure of exploring (Vals L’automne, several of his Piezas Características, Amalia, Mallorca) and, accompanying him, is Chopin (Bolero and Andante Spianato-Gran Polonaise Brillante). I’m very happy with the way the programme turned out – this Albéniz is pure Chopinesque and they complement each other perfectly. I can´t wait for tomorrow to arrive and to play here for the first time!

I recorded some of these works last week for Canal Sur. Recording in a studio is a world away from performing a live concert! The producers told me everybody prefers performing live – the warmth of the audience, the simultaneous giving and receiving… Still, it was a nice experience. The whole team was great and made me feel at home.

The sun has already set…  Now’s the time to enjoy the tranquility of this special place!

Thanks

Posted by Judith - 23/06/09 at 10:06:01 am

When a couple of months ago, Wegetit offered to renew my site, they suggested creating a blog where I could write down my impressions before and after the concerts, my thoughts, my feelings…From the beginning, I thought it was a great idea. I welcome you to my intimate little spot, which I hope will not be mine but ours, where you will be able to comment, to ask, to give your opinion…

In this first post, I would like to thank all those people who have accompanied me in the past year and a half and have helped me take my first steps into my new musical life.

So THANK YOU to:

  • My family, for being my greatest support and stability, for their enthusiasm, for everything they are…
  • Juventudes Musicales de España: Patricia, Jordi, Toni, Miquel, Silvana, Cristina and of course Jordi Roch for trusting and believing in me. Let us hope our time together will continue to be full of joy and exciting projects as it has been until now!
  • Enrique de Quesada from Hispania Clásica for believing in me, for his trust, his commitment and his way with people.
  • Eléonore, for her capacity to listen and to understand, for always being there when  needed, for everything she does for me.
  • My teachers: Lauren, Cristina, Claudio, Suchanov… For the huge piece of good fortune it has been to meet them. To Sandro as well, for all those years of constant advice… They have all helped me to grow up and be the person I am now.
  • Wegetit, the creators of this site, for their ideas, their patience and their great work. Iñaki, Iñigo, Paula and especially Iñaki Iñarra…We’ve made it!
  • My friends, for always being there.
  • Finally, to Arturo…for everything he already knows!