Jiman WeeDenise Azzopardi interviews renowned South Korean violinst Jiman Wee, who will be joining the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in the Beethoven: Eroica concert.
What are your thoughts and feelings about Brahms’s music and this concerto in particular?
I imagine Brahms to have been someone with much passion and fire, but also, on the other hand, love and tenderness. He must have had an exploratory streak that would have given him the urge to come up with innovative elements for his compositions.
I like this concerto because it’s got the remarkable realisation of a composer’s dream: to create a new ‘super’ instrument that transcends customary limits. He explores the very limits of the cello and violin in terms of range, including the lowest and highest notes possible for both instruments. The melodies take the form of rare patterns and are, therefore, extremely technically challenging to play.
Which are your favourite passages in this piece and why?
It’s got to be the second movement. As is well known, he wrote this concerto for his old friend Joseph Joachim in an attempt to reconcile their friendship. The violin and cello play in unison as though they are singing tender melodies to each other. It is an expression of harmony and togetherness.
What’s involved in your preparations for this concert? Have you managed to fit in any rehearsals with cellist Kirill Rodin?
Unfortunately, Kirill and I have had no chance to meet before our performance in Malta – I live in Salzburg and he in Moscow. However, Kirill is one of the world’s greatest cellists, and I have performed with a good number of musicians. Our experience allows us to match each other’s expectations musically and technically, so I’m very happy to say that not being able to rehearse together is not a hindrance to our performance and musical expression.
Our experience allows us to match each other’s expectations musically and technically
Have you performed in Malta before?
No, this will be my first time in Malta and I certainly hope to have the opportunity to return in the future.
What message do you have for your Malta audience?
Music is the greatest form of expression in the world because you can share common emotions with people without using words. It doesn’t matter what language you speak or where you’re from. I hope to pass on my feelings of love and passion to my audience by means of this performance.
Beethoven: Eroica takes place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on Saturday at 8 pm. It will feature Isouard’s Joconde Overture, Brahms’ Double Concerto, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3. Soloists Jiman Wee (on violin) and Kirill Rodin (on cello) will join the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms’s Double Concerto. The entire troupe will be taking the concert to Austria to perform in Vienna’s prestigious Musikverein on March 16 and Konzerthaus Klagenfurt on March 17.
For tickets send an e-mail to bookkings@mcc.com.mt or call on 2559 5750.
www.maltaorchestra.com