Peta Stewart
Catching up with pianist Lukáš Vondráček was something of a challenge – not that this Grand Prizewinner of the International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition 2016 had disappeared before coming to open the Winter Symphony season with the CPO on June 8 under the direction of Bernhard Gueller. He was simply so busy – following him on social media tells you that – that he was elusive! We finally made contact again when he was taking a short and well deserved break on an island in the Pacific!
Vondráček is much loved in Cape Town, where he has a huge following, thanks to his appearances with the CPO and Cape Town Concert Series over the years.
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
He made his first appearance with the CPO in 2003 when he was 17, followed by another in 2014 after he won the UNISA Competition in 2012.
Since he reckons he had no choice in his career since his parents were both musicians, he started on the road to success very early. He made his first public appearance at the age of four; his debut as a 15 year-old in 2002 with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy was followed by a major US tour in 2003.
So what did the win of the Queen Elisabeth competition to do him? Since this competition doesn’t have the politics that seems to dog other competitions, winning this is a huge tribute to his natural and assured musicality, his remarkable technical ability and, quite simply, his huge talent.
“No longer do I have to prove myself as a musician, Winning such a respected title allows me to be express music in a more personal way. It is a huge responsibility and I really want to stay humble and focused.
While Lukáš may be of the most charming and natural young men one could wish to meet, he may have a hard time keeping to his ideal of remaining humble! He has already played with some of the world’s greatest orchestras as a result of his win – Philadelphia, St Petersburg, Czech, Oslo, and Berlin Radio orchestras; he has given recitals at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Rudolfinum in Prague, Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg and many more.
But his feet are on the ground. “Maturing as an artist is a lifelong process,” he says, “and there is always so much to learn. Sometimes with my hectic schedule I wish I had more time away from the instrument. I try to look for inspiration in different places. It could be nature, books, wine, women and song! Sometimes these things do the trick for me rather than repeating the same passage on the piano over and over.”
He has far less time to be with family and friends, less time to be alone, and this makes it harder to harder to find motivation.
“In many ways the expectations are a lot higher nowadays. Despite the odd down period, I have a lot to grateful for and I’m lucky to be where I am.”
But where is home?
“I do not have a permanent home right now. I spent seven years in Boston and last year I was on the road or in Berlin. So it’s mostly hotels, airports and concert halls. We are now in the process of looking for a home. It will make a big difference having a place to come back to, a base. But I feel quite comfortable anywhere in the world. I find it’s not so much about places, it’s more about being around people that make us feel good and at ease.”
He misses the green forests of his native Czech Republic, “the small villages in the middle of nowhere, the Czech humor, beer, my family, friends. I go back about twice a year.” Just before coming to Cape Town he will have renewed his spirit by playing in the Prague Spring festival, something he has really been looking forward to.
And he is looking forward to coming back to Cape Town
“I remember my first visit to SA when I was 14. I was invited by the Czech Embassy in Pretoria and the Czech Consulate in Cape Town to give some recitals. I fell in love with the country and its people and have been going back ever since. In 2003, when I was 17, I played with the Cape Town Philharmonic for the first time and have been back since. I have also played three times for the Cape Town Concert Series. I honestly think Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world and always such a joy. I’m grateful to have a wonderful professional relationship with the CPO for more than a decade now. It’s always inspiring making music with them.”
Since both his parents taught piano, he says “I’m not sure there was a particular moment when I decided I want to be a musician. It was always natural to play, I can’t imagine my life without music. When I was 14 I met Vladimir Ashkenazy, and he became a great mentor and opened many doors for me. Seeing his dedication and love for music was very inspiring. As I grew older I realized what a great privilege it is to be able to share music with people, it’s the universal language we all understand.”
He leaves us for several exciting concerts and tours – “to Russia where I’m performing my favourite piece of all time. Brahms 2nd piano concerto A residency in Brussels with the complete works by Brahms; some concerts with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege ; a month long tour of Brazil, recitals in France, Croatia, Berlin, Vienna, Tokyo, Taipei, Amsterdam, Paris and more. Appearances with some wonderful orchestras in Europe, America and Asia. I look forward to them all, “he says.
Vondráček will also give a recital at The Endler Hall on June 9 at 8pm.
Who: Lukáš Vondráček
What: Opening concert of the Cape Town Philharmonic’s Winter Symphony Season
Where: The City Hall, Cape Town, 8 June, 2017 at 8pm
Info, book: http://bit.ly/vondracek
Web: www.cpo.org.za
Where: Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, Sunday, 18 June at 4pm, Works by Chopin, Liszt, Brahms.
Book: Tickets: R 100 – R 150, HL Music Centre, Office Hours 021 9399105, 10am – 6pm
Who: KZN Phil Orchestra, soloist Lukáš Vondráček, under the baton of Daniel Raiskin – Weber, Rachmaninoff, Dvořák, Thursday, 15 June, 2017
Where: The Playhouse, Durban
Book: 031 369 9438, e-mail bookings@kznphil.org.za
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