Prof. Jerzy MARCHWIŃSKI
Rejowiecka 17A
PL 04-897 WARSZAWA
Tel/Fax: (48-22) 872 1500
Mob: (48) 601 235 576
Blog: jerzy-marchwinski.Blogspot.com
Teresa ŻYLIS-GARA
Address
On the Occasion of Conferring
Honorary Doctorate of the Academy of Music in Łódź
Teresa Żylis-Gara
I
have been hesitating quite long before responding to Professor Urszula Kryger's
invitation to contribute an address about Teresa Żylis-Gara upon her receipt of
the honorary doctorate of the Academy of Music in Łódź. I was not sure I would be
able to express in words the grandeur of this extraordinary Artist.
However,
as I had been lucky and privileged to be her artistic partner for some time, I
finally decided to write a personal reflection.
A
few years ago when David Shengold of Opera News asked me to write a short piece
about Teresa Żylis-Gara. I sent him just two sentences expressing the essence
of my thoughts about this great artist: „Teresa’s artistry was not only at the highest
professional level, but also full of light, love and beauty. I think that quite exceptional even
among the greatest artists.” Let it be
the motto of this résumé on the great Teresa Żylis-Gara.
I
first met Teresa when her ardent fan and Polish Radio journalist Jan Weber told
me that he would soon air an interview with her, followed by her recital with
Erik Werba. When I heard her speaking and then singing, my first
impression was that of overwhelming, authentic power. I did not detect
a slightest trace of affectation or coquetting during the interview, and I was
awed by the indescribable beauty of her voice and her purely natural
narration.
Our second meeting, this time “live”,
happened in New York. My agent told me that
Teresa Żylis-Gara would like to meet me.
While heading to her Central Park West apartment, I felt quite
emotional. I was incredibly moved by her proposal to partner her at recordings
and recitals. After bidding goodbye, I
immediately went to a nearby florist, to send her roses just before I left for
the JFK. Waiting at the airport for the departure, I heard my name from the
loudspeakers. I was requested to go to Pan-American desk. There, I received a
thank-you message for the flowers, signed by Teresa. I was truly impressed, as there aren’t
many famous opera singers who would think about such a small but very charming
gesture.
Afterwards,
I met her again in my tiny studio apartment in Żoliborz, Warsaw, where we had
our first rehearsal. I felt no anxiety or stage-fright. I only wanted to play on my usual level. The first song was “Atchevo?” (Why?), by
Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Before playing the
opening bars of the song, I asked her about the tempo. “Just play it,” she said. So I played.
There were no problems whatsoever, just the feeling of great ease,
authenticity and space - the space which contained both her marvellous voice
and my totally free piano music.
The
sensation of freedom and space had always accompanied me during all our
recordings and concerts at home, in France and in the U.S. I felt some usual
tension before the performance but there had never been any stage-fright or
anxiety – just the joy of creating beauty together.
I
have recently been among the audience at the master course held by Teresa at
the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. I was moved by her emotional involvement
and generosity with which she shared her amazing knowledge with the young
singers, and by her focus on the beauty of interpretation. The live
demonstration of the truth of what she had just said was stunning and
unforgettable. Her voice still amazes with its beauty untouched by the passage
of time, and her artistic message always seems perfectly accurate.
Let
me mention one more significant and extraordinary talent of hers. Teresa has a great ability of creating the
reality. Her everyday life is a natural
process of weaving something unique and beautiful. It leaves no space for platitudes and trivia;
even more, it allows no affectation or ostentation. Everything is natural and
authentic.
As I have already said in my motto, this is
how I perceive the vivid presence of light, emotion and beauty permeating her
whole existence.
(Jerzy
Marchwiński)
Warszawa, January 31, 2016
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz