INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed pianist Ivan Illich makes a brief stop in Downpatrick this weekend in a treat for local audiences.
Described as an “adventurous pianist” by the New Yorker, this Paris-based American musician will give a recital of celebrated Chopin studies and some beautiful pieces by French composer Erik Satie, followed by a short film.
Ivan started studying music at the age of six and gave his recital debut at 11. He earned degrees in music and mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley before moving to Paris on a fellowship from
the University. Shortly after-
wards he was admitted to the esteemed Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris, where he took a Premier Prix in piano performance. The City of Paris sponsored his first recording.
Career highlights include recitals at Carnegie Hall, New York; Wigmore Hall, London; The National Concert Hall, Dublin; Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto; and the American Academy in Rome.
Now based in Paris, Ivan Ilic has been busy since his last visit to Downpatrick in 2009. In addition to launching his new CD, he made his acting debut in two French films. One of these, ‘Izak’s Choice’ by Luc Plissonneau, will be screened at the end of Saturday’s recital.
The film is a love story about a young frustrated piano soloist and his student, Lucie.
Ivan describes the film as a personal highlight of the programme.
“My character is a pianist, and it was written because of a piece of music I played for the director,” Ivan explained. “He was so interested he wrote a short play.
“The idea of doing a film to accompany the music is unusual. Films are usually quite long but this is 16 minutes. More common is that the music is the background material, but here the music is the main character, while the film is written as a result of what happens in the score.”
For Ivan, storytelling is important, especially for those who may be unfamiliar with the music he plays.
“I am trying to play music that grabs you in one way or another, not necessarily just for those who are educated in classical music,” he said. “For example, my left hand piano music has that visual element, which is important.
“It is a case of trying to find a way for people to enjoy music that is popular, but still sophisticated and intellectual. You have to find a way to interest people.”
Ivan’s recital on Saturday evening encapsulates this ethos. As well music from the emotionally complex yet accessible Chopin, there is music by irreverent French composer, Erik Satie. Satie’s gently melancholic Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes are among the most beloved works of classical music.
“Again it is important to know the story behind these two men,” said Ivan. “Chopin died relatively young and was really sick and frail when he was writing this music.
“Satie is a funny, unusual character, and his music spoke to people immediately. His music is famous, and although some may not know it as classical music they do recognise it.”
It is the power of music to touch the soul that Ivan finds important and although he has played in many great concert halls around the world, one of the highlights of his career was a concert in a Paris hospital.
“When I was a student in Paris I played in a hospital for terminally ill people,” he explained. “They were so sick many of them were moaning in the first part of the concert, and seemed irritated. As the concert went on people became really quiet...the audience got more and more attentive. “After the concert many of them started to get anxious again. It was very interesting. You do not know what is happening there, but music can bring out that emotional engagement.”
Ivan will sign copies of his new CD following the performance. To purchase tickets (£10 / £8) and for further information contact Down Arts Centre box office on 028 4461 0747.
The complete Down Arts Centre season programme is available at www.downartscentre.com