"I like to be very human"

New Year’s Eve was marked by a great classical music concert in Organ Hall. The last concert of the year 2001 was performed by the National Chamber Orchestra. Our musicians were conducted by the leading conductor of the British Chamber Orchestra Mr. Crispin Ward, who came specially from Great Britain to perform this concert.

Brilliant voices of Lilia Solomei singing “Alleluia” and Mihai Munteanu singing “O, sole mio” evoked the feeling of admiration with the Moldovan audience.

The event was attended by the President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin and his wife, Mayor of Chisinau Serafim Urecheanu, Deputy Minister of Culture Andrei Lozovanu and some other high officials.

Mr. Crispin Ward kindly agreed to give an interview to our correspondent on the eve of the concert.

Mr. Ward, you are in Moldova for the second time. When did you come to Moldova for the first time and under what circumstances have you heard about our republic?

To tell you the truth, it was a very strange start. I was playing in orchestra in England with Boris Vasiliuc (the member of the orchestra of the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova). He did not have so many conductors and asked me if I wanted to come and conduct. “How much do you cost?”, he said. I said, “Well, vodka!”. “OK”, he said, “We have vodka”. As a result I arrived in Moldova for one week to conduct. Everyone was very nice to me and that persuaded me that I would like to come back. My government gave me a grant to cover my expenses because they liked the fact that I came to Moldova. That is why I am here for the second time.

Mr. Ward, could you tell our readers about your first concert in Chisinau?

My first concert in the Moldovan capital was that I did last May. In fact, I did two concerts. The first one took place in Mihai Eminescu Theatre. It was a very lovely concert. It was English XX century music. The second concert I did in Chisinau was with the National Chamber Orchestra of Organ Hall.

What is the way you reach inspiration?

My Goodness! That is a very long question. I can talk for hours about that. I think I like to be very human. I like to show weakness and love, passion and all the emotions. I a very emotional musician. I like to explore how we all feel. I always feel the energy and emotions of spectators, though I do not see their faces until the concert is over.

I have noticed that in Moldova, people are a little reserved. When I first arrived in May, at the beginning people were very reserved with me. But by the end they were very happy and friendly, they relaxed. So I realize I can come back again.

What do you know about the Moldovan musical education system and what is your own opinion about it compared with the British one?

Unfortunately, I do not know much about your musical education system, but it seems to work since you have some good players. It is not a good comparison with the British one because I know nothing about your system. As far as the British one is concerned, our musical education starts from very early age and continues for the whole life. I am 36, but I am still learning.

Would you like to play some pieces of Moldovan composers?

I would very much like to. By the way, it may happen next summer. We might be opening the British embassy in the Republic of Moldova. I have been invited to perform at its official opening. It would be very nice to play some Moldovan pieces.

How could you characterize cultural cooperation between Moldova and Great Britain?

I think it has already started. The British Foreign Officer was interested in sending me to Moldova. We are very interested in strengthening ties between the two countries. I am very encouraged by the cooperation between our governments.

Elena Vivsic
Department of Music of the National Radio,
Vlada Popushoi