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.