 Peter Burdon speaks with award winning pianist Herbert Schuch making his Australian debut in Adelaide in the upcoming Beethoven series.
Born in Romania, raised in Germany, and increasingly a citizen of the world, Herbert Schuch has been on the radar since his early teens, and in the 21st century came quickly to dominate the exacting European competition scene. With some of the most prestigious awards under his belt, the concert platform has become his second home.
The United States is behind him, and he debuts soon in Japan, and is preparing for his first visit to Australia. And he’s looking forward to it.
“I’ve done a lot of work in Europe, naturally, because I was born here and went to school. But the past few years have been very busy, and I’ve been slowly extending my radius, but coming to Australia is something I’m looking forward to. There are a lot of Australians in Germany and in Europe generally, and they all speak so well of the music scene that it’s something I really want to do.”
One of the special attractions is the involvement in the series of the Australian Youth Orchestra.
“I love working with youth orchestras,” Herbert says, “because they come to the music in such a fresh way, and I think that’s so important with really famous works, like the Beethoven concerti. I can say that for certain, because I’ve won all my competitions with Beethoven concerti, and there’s a huge difference playing them with an experienced, professional orchestra and a youth orchestra.
"I don’t mean to say the big orchestras aren’t great, they are, and probably the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had was doing the Beethoven Fourth Concerto with the London Philharmonic, but like I say, there’s a freshness that comes when you’re experiencing the music for the first time that is very special.”
Three concertos in three days is a tall order, but Herbert is confident that all will be well.
“In Adelaide we’re doing the First, Fourth and Fifth concerti,” Herbert explains, “which is great because they’re the concerti I’m most familiar with. I’ve won competitions with the First and the Fifth, and I’ve performed the Fourth a lot in concert. And they’re such beautiful pieces, so different and so original, like all of Beethoven’s music.
"The First is a lot like earlier music, but already Beethoven is taking the basic form and doing something new with it. It’s got youthful exuberance, times when he can’t resist showing off, and it has some really difficult technical challenges. The Fourth is almost like chamber music, and it’s very delicate in many places, and it’s great because the conductor can give it so many little details.
"And the Fifth is not called the ‘Emperor’ for nothing. It’s musically the hardest, but it will be great with the youth orchestra, especially in the third movement, when you really need to embrace the joy of the piece. I really think you should stand up when you play it! I’m tempted to do it myself. But maybe I’ll wait for another time before I do that!”
The Beethoven Series begins on 24 July. Details at www.bass.net.au.
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