Yesterday was the last full day of rehearsals and tonight the performances begin. My continuing chat with Richard focuses on the grueling schedule and how that helps a Pianist post Cliburn. I was able catch finalist Haochen Zhang (who is 19 today!) asking The USA chief Steinway technician Ron Coners about an issue with the keys. I then interviewed Ron who used to be the tech for Horowitz! More excerpts from rehearsals with James Conlon 1 on 1 including the practicalities of tempo and collaboration…listen below!
I am tweeting from the rehearsals also – Follow me!
So Richard, how does learning nearly 5 hours of music and the grueling Cliburn schedule help a young Pianist?….
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-richard-on-winners-post-cliburn.mp3]Mariangela Vacatello gives us a taste of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4….
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-mariangela-and-a-little-beethoven.mp3]Questions about the Pianos? Then ask Ron Coners Chief technician for Steinway and Sons, an exchange with Haochen Zhang (pictured together) and my conversation with him about all things Piano…..
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-ron-coners-chief-steinway-technician.mp3]James Conlon coaching Haochen Zhang on working out the beginning of the finale of Prokofiev Piano concerto No. 2….
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-conlon-coaches-zhang.mp3]Di Wu and James Conlon talk tempo in Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3….
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-di-wu-talks-tempo-with-conlon.mp3]