oops! - Chailly and Pires

I discovered this video clip through Rob and Laura, friends we met in Puglia. They're from Holland so are familiar with Riccardo Chailly who was the chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. I had the privilege of working with Chailly for two weeks when I was nineteen, and then for a month when I was twenty-one, in a festival in Montepuliciano, in Tuscany. He was the most inspiring conductor I ever experienced, and at that stage he was in his early to mid twenties.

In the clip, as Pires realises that she's prepared the wrong Mozart concerto, the two have a conversation over the music. Two things strike me. Firstly, Chailly's 'non-anxious presence'. This scenario could be absolutely disastrous, artistically and professionally, but he continues as if there's nothing wrong and importantly inspires confidence in Pires that 'I'm sure you'll do that - you know it too well!'. And second, that despite Pires' obvious anxious presence, when she makes her entry it's heartbreakingly beautiful and perfect. She is the consummate professional, not allowing the anxiety to drown her and drawing on her vast reservoir of skill, experience, and preternatural talent.  Enjoy!

Comments

Anonymous said…
This scene is at the same touching and impressive, ultimate professionalism but above all a worldclass demonstration of leadership by inspiring confidence. you will have noted that Chailly takes absolutely no credit for his role in this rebirth and leaves all the credit to the piano. unforgettable. wim.de.deken@exmar.be;
Geoff Colmer said…
Thank you for your appreciative and perceptive comments on this gem of a video clip. I received for Christmas Chailly's Beethoven Symphonies - wonderful!

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