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- ANGELA HEWITT -
“WHAT I ENJOY MOST ABOUT PERFORMING IS CONNECTING TO THE AUDIENCE. I LIKE TO GET ACROSS ALL THE EMOTIONS AND THE MUSIC TO THEM...” University, the Open University, Mount Saint Vincent University, the University of Saskatchewan and Carleton University.
“Meeting the Queen was a very special moment for me. I’ve met her on several occasions, but the most memorable was when she awarded me with an OBE.”
“When I’ve met her at other receptions, mostly at the Canadian High Commission and at Buckingham Palace, where she seems like a very approachable person. When you talk to her she’s actually very interesting and I was surprised at how easy she was to talk to.”
“What I enjoy most about performing is connecting to the audience. I like to get across all the emotions and the music to them. I like to allow them to feel things they might not experience in their daily lives.”
“When they walk out of a recital of mine, I hope they feel elated having spent two hours in a different world. So communicating to the public with music is what I enjoy most.”
It really is amazing the sound of a piano can produce and Angela strongly believes it depends on the type of the piano, and not just the pianist. The craftsmanship is very important. “I have a preferred piano that’s crafted in Italy, made by Fazioli, but there aren’t many in the world as it’s quite a recent piano in the history of the instrument, at only 30 years old.”
“I play whatever the hall has, so one just hopes that it’s in good condition and when you’re a professional and you’ve been playing for as long as I have, you know how to adapt to every type of instrument.”
“It’s also down to the music you play as well. I have to say, if I was to narrow it down to one symphony, my favourite is the Goldberg Variations by Bach, naturally. It takes an hour and 20 minutes to play non-stop. It consists of no fewer than 30 variations.”
“I made a CD recording of that piece 15 years ago but I’m re-recording it in December in Germany because it’s a piece that I’ve performed the most throughout my life, and one which has grown with me. If I had to name only one piece that is my favourite, I guess that would be it.”
“To name some places I’ve performed in, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Royal Albert Hall, I’ve played in Escala, Milan, the Sydney Opera House - many, many famous halls.” “I love playing in Wigmore Hall in London. I play there very often and have done since 1985. It’s the most beautiful recital hall I’ve performed in.”
“But it’s definitely not just the hall. If I’m performing in somewhere a little less famous, but the audience is really warm, and listens attentively in total silence, that’s what’s important to me.”
“I’m looking forward to my recital in Uppingham. I also have many other exciting events lined up next year. I have my festival in Umbria, Italy called the Trasimeno Music Festival which I always look forward to. It brings music lovers and musicians from all over the world together in the most beautiful place in the world. That’s from the 30th June to the 6th July.”
“I also have recitals across the globe this year including China with Sir Neville Marriner (conductor) who’s now 90 years old, so that will be quite an experience. Every year brings different people to get to know and different places to go, and also different symphonies to learn. I’m constantly refreshing my repertoire. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from Uppingham students, as I always do with schools.” n For more information on Angela, and to find what events she has lined up in 2016, visit www.angelahewitt.com. To see more information on her performance at Uppingham School, visit www.uppingham.co.uk.
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