Questions on the street for conductor Dalia Stasevska
Ukrainian-born Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska (at present principal visitor conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra) shall be returning to conduct the Cleveland Orchestra 20-23 November in a program that options Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony and La Noche de los Mayas by Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas. Busy schedules prohibited the conductor and Seen and Heard Worldwide critic Mark Sebastian Jordan from discovering an excellent time to talk in particular person, so that they devised a correspondence interview that will enable Stasevska to work on her solutions every time she discovered a stray second between household, examine, rehearsals, performances and journey.
Mark Sebastian Jordan: What drew you to music within the first place, and when do you know for sure that you simply needed to commit your life to music?
Dalia Stasevska: As a younger teen, I discovered it troublesome to specific myself verbally. By way of music, I discovered a language wherein I may very well be absolutely and unapologetically myself. Recognizing this early in my teenagers and discovering my deep love for orchestral music led me to commit myself to music.
MSJ: World folklore has quite a few tales of musicians on the crossroads ‘promoting their souls’ to the satan in change for musical brilliance. In what metaphorical approach is that this true for a sensible musician? How do you stability the necessities of finding out/rehearsing/publicizing/performing with the human want for socializing, discovering repose and discovering that means in life?
DS: There’s a sure fact in the concept musicians ‘promote their souls’ – to not darkness however to devotion. To dedicate your life to music requires whole dedication, lengthy hours of examine and rehearsals and, usually, a willingness to sacrifice consolation and stability for the sake of artwork. There are moments when it may possibly really feel like music consumes every thing – time, power, emotion – but it surely additionally offers again in essentially the most profound approach. For me, stability comes from remembering why I make music: to attach, to share, to deliver folks collectively, to inform tales throughout time and cultures and to speak in one of the lovely methods I can consider. Exterior my work, my two-year-old daughter retains me grounded. I like spending time with my family and friends and looking for out silence in nature. My life is full in essentially the most lovely approach and in nice stability on and off the stage.
MSJ: Along with conducting and enjoying, you’ve studied composition. Does approaching orchestral works with internal information of how a piece is put collectively provide you with insights on perceive the music?
DS: Sure! It offers a extremely good sense of simply how troublesome it’s to put in writing music and to search out your private voice – it may be in comparison with writing a e book or an ideal sentence. This expertise helps me respect composers and offers me the instruments to additional perceive a composer’s music.
MSJ: How do you strategy a repertoire favourite like Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony? How do you invite the listener (and the musicians) into the composer’s world to deliver the music to life, even when the listener has already heard the piece numerous instances earlier than?
DS: With a bit just like the Dvořák, I attempt to strategy it with contemporary ears – as if I’m discovering it anew. You will need to discover emotional fact in each phrase, in each second of the music. When the musicians really feel that connection, the viewers does too, irrespective of what number of instances they’ve heard it earlier than.
MSJ: Dvořák’s fame appears to be rising because the a long time go by. He has at all times been a preferred composer, however his standing is rising whereas different composers’ reputations are shrinking. Why do you suppose that’s?
DS: I feel Dvořák’s music endures as a result of it speaks on to the center. There’s honesty and heat to his writing, a way of optimism and belonging that resonates throughout cultures and generations. In a world that may really feel fragmented, Dvořák reminds us of shared humanity. That’s why it nonetheless feels so contemporary and crucial as we speak.
MSJ: One other composer whose fame is rising with the years is Silvestre Revueltas. What attracts you to his music? How necessary is it to offer voice to lesser-known composers?
DS: I like the extraordinary vitality and uniqueness of Revueltas’s music – it’s uncooked, emotional and filled with folklore and drive. This piece we shall be performing is a drive of nature.
Giving voice to lesser-known composers is crucial. For too lengthy, the classical world has targeted on solely a slim a part of its historical past. By performing and championing these voices, we make our repertoire richer and extra truthful – a mirrored image of the numerous cultures and views which have formed our shared musical heritage.
MSJ: You have got been energetic in supporting the resistance efforts in Ukraine, even to the purpose of delivering provides your self. Many artists of the previous tried to stay aloof from present occasions. How did you come to comprehend that such neutrality was not acceptable?
DS: For me, remaining impartial within the face of injustice is inconceivable. When your neighbor, your folks and our Western democratic values are underneath assault, silence turns into a type of acceptance. I consider that as an artist I’ve a voice not solely on stage however as a human being on this planet. Music can encourage, consolation and convey us collectively, however motion offers these values that means. Supporting Ukraine isn’t just a political assertion: it’s a human one. It’s about defending freedom, dignity and compassion – the exact same issues that I need to consider music stands for.
MSJ: In an more and more fractious and violent world, does classical music matter?
DS: Completely! Music reminds us of our shared humanity and provides an area for reflection and empathy. Music can’t cease or clear up conflicts, however it may possibly work as a catalyst for therapeutic and alter, encourage us, empower us and convey us collectively.
Mark Sebastian Jordan
