Pianist Lucia Micallef has been smitten by Bach since she was 11 years old. She tells Veronica Stivala how, although he is a baroque composer, his music transcends time.

It’s not every day that you hear about an 11-year-old being smitten by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Then again, it’s not every day that you hear about a young girl playing the majestic music of baroque heavyweights Bach, Charpentier, Corelli and Vivaldi on the harpsichord regularly with the Johann Strauss School of Music Orchestra conducted by Alexander Maschat.

Ever since she can remember, renowned pianist Lucia Micallef has always been drawn to the music of Bach.

“My father was a great lover of Bach and his music was often played at home throughout my childhood,” she recalls.

In 1985, Micallef was asked to play a concerto for (then) Mid-Med Bank’s 10th anniversary concert with conductor Brian Schembri.

Bach’s keyboard Concerto in D minor was the piece of her choice. Schembri was in Moscow at the time and Micallef was studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Twenty-nine years later, they both decided it was time to revisit the past. Together with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and conducted by Schembri, Micallef will perform the majestic D Minor Concerto for the closing concert of this year’s International Spring Orchestra Festival.

Structured in three move-ments (allegro, adagio, al-legro), the two allegros are particularly invigorating.

Entitled Bach and the 21 st Century, the concert will feature four Bach concertos (in F minor, D minor, D major and G minor) alongside two contemporary works by Karl Fiorini, composer and artistic director of the festival, and Ukrainian composer Alexander Opanasyuk.

Although it might seem odd to pair baroque with contemporary music, Micallef explains how the two genres work very well alongside each other.

“As with a lot of western music, it all goes back to Bach. His harmonic progressions and techniques have influenced composers throughout the centuries and continue to do so. Beethoven and Mozart acknow- ledged his influence as did Brahms, Chopin, Schumann and many others.”

The influence continues right through to 20th century com-posers such as Stravinsky and Shostakovich, who actually wrote a set of preludes and fugues modelled on his Well-Tempered Clavier.

Indeed, Bach continues to influence composers today; his music can be described as timeless. “Although Bach is a baroque composer, his music transcends time and this is why classical, romantic or contemporary music can blend so well,” explains Micallef.

Why did she choose to play three other Bach concertos along with the D minor concerto?

There are two reasons for this choice, points out Micallef. “The first is that I never tire of Bach and I love to play all these works. The second reason is that we will be making a recording of these concertos to be released in the autumn.”

Schembri and Micallef have worked together since 1985 although it has been many years since they last per-formed together, with the Schumann Piano Concerto.

Speaking of the collaboration, Micallef says: “It is always a pleasure – one can’t really ask for more... working with a fine musician and a great friend.”

His music transcends time and this is why classical, romantic or contemporary music can blend so well

Micallef has performed extensively in Europe and Canada and has also played at a number of major Euro-pean events, including the Prague Easter Festival and the Edinburgh Festival.

She is also greatly look-ing forward to collaborating with the European Union Chamber Orchestra.

“Playing with an orchestra is always exhilarating and inspirational,” she says. The EUCO have a worldwide reputation as musical ambassadors for the European Union. The musicians in this orchestra are all very distinguished players.

Indeed, one of Fiorini’s aims in this festival is to bring together musicians who represent different countries, cultures and traditions to connect with each other through music. “I think this is vital for creativity and innovation,” notes Micallef.

She reveals how during re-hearsals, it is wonderful to experience openness to other musical ideas and feelings – “collaboration, imagination and flexibility are of the utmost importance... the great thing about being a musician is that one never stops learning.”

Apart from music, which is Micallef’s passion, the pianist is interested in all the arts. She loves literature and the visual arts and enjoys theatre and film.

She is always keen to explore new places and travels quite often. If she has to play overseas, she always tries to stay an extra couple of days if there is time.

What does an average day look like for Micallef?

“I like to do some pilates and yoga, and in summer I go for my daily swim. I practise piano every day and only take the occasional day off. I love being with the family and meeting friends and before I know it, the day’s over.”

Next in the pipeline for Micallef are engagements linked to the release of the Bach recording. She will also be giving some lieder recitals with soprano Gillian Zammit locally and abroad.

Lucia Micallef performs with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, directed by Brian Schembri on April 26 at The Manoel Theatre.

This year’s programme

The International Spring Festival is produced by Maltese composer Karl Fiorini. This year’s edition includes the following events:

April 22
Opening concert at 8pm, performed by Cosmos Wind Ensemble

April 24
Songs my mother taught me, by mezzo soprano Clare Ghigo and pianist Charlene Farrugia

April 25
Argotti String quartet

April 26
Bach and the 21st Century, performed by the European Union Chamber Orchestra with pianist Lucia Micallef. Conductor: Brian Schembri.

April 23 to 26
Rising Stars Concert Series, at the Sala Isouard (Manoel Theatre) at 12.30pm.

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