New Classical Tracks: Lisa Batiashvili explores the many 'Visions of Prokofiev'

Lisa Batiashvili — Visions of Prokofiev (DG)

Lisa Batiashvili has released a new collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Yannick Nezet-Seguin that explores "Visions of Prokofiev." It highlights his violin concertos and newly arranged selections by her father, Tamas Batiashvili, of Prokofiev's ballets, Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella, and the opera The Love of Three Oranges.

Why did you want to make this recording celebrating music of Prokofiev?

"Well I've been playing Prokofiev's music since my childhood, the First Violin Concerto I performed for the first time at age of 13. Since then Prokofiev has been really part of my musical life. I think that this is one of the most spectacular composers of 20th century through his fantasy — through his ability to describe so many things and so many different visions that he has had in his life. And this was one of the reasons and the other reason because certainly I've dreamt to record with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Yannick Nezet-Seguin. This combination for me is really a big dream.

"I think that Prokofiev does not belong to one part of the world but he's really totally global composer, somebody who was so influenced by the Western culture, the French, American — and all of his trips that he made. So for me, he's as close to Debussy and all the other great composers in Europe then to the Russian way of composing."

Can you describe how he intermingles those ideas in the First Violin Concerto?

"Well I think the colours that he is proposing to us is something that was quite unique and he was one of the first composers that decided to have this incredibly angelic and very tender moments in the First Violin Concerto in the beginning and also in the end.

"Also, lots of grotesque and joking and also some brutal parts, everything. The work changes the character very, very quickly from one moment of the tenderness and you go to something completely different and I think this is quite a challenge. You can very clearly hear his close ties to everything what is theatrical, music that tells us stories."

Do you have a favorite section of the piece?

"I would say First Violin Concerto the beginning of the last movement, third movement, which starts with a solo bassoon, it is followed by the theme of the violin which is one of the most beautiful, most sensitive themes that you can imagine. And there is some sort of awkwardness in it, with a very rhythmical accompaniment of the orchestra. There are so many different and complex feelings in this very simple theme. I think this is really one of my favorite places in all his music."

The First Violin Concerto has been a cornerstone of your repertoire for many years. How does the Second Violin Concerto fit into your repertoire?

"It is quite complex because again, it's very sectional, but of course the centerpiece is the second movement which is obviously a love theme. It's Prokofiev in a completely different time of his life, which you can also hear the difference from the first and the second one, how much he has gone into two different ways and he got inspired by lots of different experiences."

I wanted to ask you a little bit about your father, Tamas, who created three arrangements on this recording of other works by Prokofiev, which come from his ballets and an opera. Can you tell me a little bit about him — I know he was your first teacher, and I'm curious if there's something perhaps that you learned from him, either as a teacher or maybe just as your dad, that still resonates with you today.

"He was simply for me one of my musical heroes and I asked him to become my teacher. And he started teaching me and he became my beloved musical friend. You know a parent that I trusted so much. Each of his opinions were so interesting and still are. But he's a very shy person so I always would have to go to him and ask him for his ideas.

"It's great because you have these small works that are so popular and that bring people closer to other music of Prokofiev that's less known because these three, let's say 'tunes,' are really works that almost everybody has heard already. And I think it's nice to show Prokofiev from all different size and the variety of his fantasy was just limitless."

To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or download the extended podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Resources

Visions of Prokofiev (Amazon)
Visions of Prokofiev (DG)
Lisa Batiashvili (official site)