By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman returns to Seoul Thursday and Friday, and invites fans to join him on a thrilling musical excursion.
In his third collaboration with the KBS Symphony Orchestra, he will play Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 opposite conductor Hubert Soudant.
"Brahms really is a composer whose music made its way to me not by storm," Gluzman told The Korea Times via e-mail. "I did not even notice when I 'fell in love,' but the moment that (it) happened I knew that this was forever."
He said the greatest challenge ― and interest ― with the Romantic piece is "finding the balance between the incredible emotional depth and intellectual sense of structure." He compared playing the masterpiece to climbing Mt. Everest ― "(It's) exhilarating, challenging both emotionally and physically, and above all the most fulfilling musical experience."
He emphatically agreed that the audience is crucial in such musical mountain climbing. "For a great concert, one needs a triumvirate of talent: composer, performer and audience," he said, quoting the esteemed Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. "I think the public is a very important member of this team. After all, without the public there would be no concerts at all. I was always very impressed with Korean concertgoers. At every concert I sensed an incredible energy, electricity between the musicians on stage and the people in the hall. I felt that hearing music was a meaningful and fulfilling experience for them and that of course inspired me to give my very best."
And, naturally, Gluzman's best, whether live or recorded, captivates the listener as he paints kaleidoscopic colors and dazzling experimentation in the form on his 1690 Stradivarius.
"The violin is a breathing, living being with a soul and its own moods, just like people," he said, dubbing his own as his "close friend" that once accompanied the legendary violinist Leopold Auer.
"Of course playing an instrument of this caliber gives an artist almost limitless expressive possibilities," he said. "The color palette of 'Auer' is absolutely tremendous; its penetrating power is incredible." Indeed, his sure-fire articulation burns to the core of the score and pierces through the air like fireworks.
Like the broad emotional breadth of his works, his expansive repertoire includes contemporary pieces from many composers, including Gubaidulina.
"Working with today's composers not only gives me a feeling of being a part of creation, almost owning the piece, it also influences my view on others' repertoires," he said. "By seeing a piece of music as a living being that is constantly changing, it makes you realize new dimensions in the works of the old masters."
He said he learned to stay true to the composer by reading scores as if they were books from the late Isaac Stern. Born in the Ukraine in 1973, Gluzman moved to Israel as a teenager and bloomed under the Israeli maestro. "Isaac Stern indeed was ― and still is ― a very important figure in my life," he said. "His undying energy, his incredible passion and constant striving for new heights in music is something that I hold very dear; something I hope to continue myself."
Gluzman himself now inspires young musicians through performances and master classes, such as South Korea's rising violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo. "I do remember Hyuk-joo of course," Gluzman said. "He is a brilliant talent, I was always happy to hear him play. There are so many things one could talk about with the young generation, but perhaps the most important is this ― love the music in you rather than loving yourself in music.
"For me, music is not just a profession, it is who I am; it is my life," he said. "Being a musician means a total, selfless and unreserved dedication to your art. I would like to encourage my younger colleagues to dare, to take risks, to find their own voices, their own place in the world of music, whatever it might be."
Though coming from a musical family and married to the pianist Angela Yoffe, Gluzman did not want to impose music upon his children. Yet, his daughter began playing the violin just over a month ago. "It really was her initiative," he said. "She asked for it herself. I hope for her first of all to have a happy and well-rounded childhood and if violin becomes a part of (it), I will be of course happy."
Glutzman has two upcoming albums with the Swedish record label BIS: Barber Concerto with the Sao Paolo Symphony conducted by John Neschling, and Korngold and Dvarionas Concertos with the Residentie Orchestra led by Neeme J?rvi. Also to be featured are works of Shostakovich, Gubaidulina, Bruch and Khachaturian, among others.
The Seoul concerts will feature, in addition to the Brahms concerto, Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Thursday, at KBS Hall, Yeouido, and Friday at Seoul Arts Center, Nambu Bus Terminal. Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. Call (02) 781-2252~5.