How do you
mostly listen to music?
I listen to music when
I’m travelling, which means my iPhone becomes one of my travel companions, and
also on my computer with headphones. YouTube is also a fantastic way to discover
music and to listen to repertoire I don’t know.
What was the
last piece of music you bought?
Theodora by Handel
played by les Arts Florissants and William Christie I am singing this oratorio
for the first time next October and need to work a lot in advance on my English
pronunciation.
What’s your
musical guilty pleasure?
If you found
yourself with six months free to learn a new instrument, what would you
choose?
The cello, for sure.
When I started studying music I was a violinist; I would love to learn a bass
instrument. That would be very useful too, because I would love to conduct in
the future.
Is applauding
between movements acceptable?
It depends on the
situation. During a symphony I prefer not, but for example after a movement of a
concerto, if people are particularly happy, why not? More and more I try to make
programs with links between the pieces to avoid too much applause. A meaningful
silence can be so magical. Having said that, it is the audience who always
decides!
What single
thing would improve the format of the classical concert?
I think the format
works well, that’s probably why it hasn’t changed very much this last century!
Just one frustrates me - sometimes, in order to have the chance to attend
certain performances or subscription series you need to buy tickets six months,
even one year, in advance. Maybe we should keep back some tickets for sale only
a month ahead so as to give people who are not so used to going to classical
concerts and booking very early the chance to go.
What’s been
your most memorable live music experience as an audience member?
The first time I heard
a concert in the Berlin Philharmonie. It happened to be my favourite symphony by
Shostakovich, the 10th, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Of course I cried!
What was the
first ever record or cd you bought?
I remember this
perfectly. It was Paganini’s 24 Caprices played by Itzhak Perlman. I was 11 and
a violin student. I always listen to this recording with emotion. He was my idol
when I was young.
Do you enjoy
musicals? Do you have a favourite?
Yes, but I’m touring
all the time so I haven’t had the chance to see a musical for so long.
How many
recordings of the Goldberg Variations do you own? Do you have a
favourite?
I have Glenn Gould and
Pierre Hantaïs Goldbergs. Difficult to have more opposite versions, but I like
them both.
Which
conductor of yester-year do you most wish you could have worked
with?
I would have loved to
work with Leonard Bernstein. What a talent! You can feel this by watching his
videos, how inspiring he was for all. My dream would be to work with Nikolaus
Harnoncourt too. Maybe in the future? For me he is the conductor who really
changed the way we now play Bach, Mozart, Beethoven…
Which
non-classical musician would you love to work with?
Lady Gaga. I was very
impressed by her last jazz album with Tony Bennett. She is totally in the
baroque spirit. I have already worn costumes as crazy as hers in some baroque
opera productions!
Imagine you’re
a festival director here in London with unlimited resources. What would you
programme - or commission - for your opening event?
I would produce a
“Handel night” ( a four to five hour show) with different baroque groups, choirs
and of course singers. Because he is just the best!
What do you
sing in the shower?
Mostly phrases of
arias I will be singing in public the next days… it’s a good way to win some
time!
Philippe Jaroussky’s
new album Green explores settings of poems by Paul Verlaine is out now on
Erato. He performs at the Konzerthaus, Vienna on 11 March and tours Germany and
Switzerland until 17 April. Details: warnerclassics.com/philippe-jaroussky/tourdates
