Henryk Pisarek - KPO's Artistic Director & Chief Conductor

Henryk Pisarek recently celebrated 10 years as Artistic Director of Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2003 he was awarded The Orchestras of Australia Network (TOAN) Individual Metropolitan Award, for fostering excellence, innovation and creativity among orchestras in Australian metropolitan areas, for his work with the East-West Orchestra, Penrith Symphony Orchestra and Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra.

Henryk's career combines work across orchestral sectors - with youth, community and professional orchestras. His work with professional orchestras is more frequent with overseas rather than with Australian orchestras.

Salient characteristics of his work as a conductor are impeccable musicianship, persistent pursuit of higher artistic standards and a precise and articulate musical vision.

Here Henryk reveals something more of what drives his conducting career and contribution to Australia's cultural life.

What gave you the passion to become a conductor?

I have always been passionate about music. From a very early age, I received intensive musical training and music was just ingrained in me. Originally I was trained to be a violinist. I only auditioned for the Warsaw Academy to study conducting to stop my conducting teacher nagging me about it.

My high school teachers in my home town in Poland inspired me. Initially I wanted to be an orchestral player - as a violinist I did not aim for a solo career. I was fascinated by orchestral sound and its creative possibilities. During that time I was regularly attending concerts by my local philharmonic orchestra and when I was in year 10, I knew that I wanted to be a conductor. On my request, a conducting course was created at my school and I was the first graduate.

What is it about conducting that appeals to you?

Conducting is by far the most difficult musical profession: conducting is about interpreting the music. A conductor is the mediator between the orchestra and the composer; at the same time being able to put his own views about the composition. He is to be able to hear the music in his mind, the way that he wants it to be heard, and must tell the orchestra to play it that way - not with words, but with gesture. This challenge is the most appealing thing to me.

Who were the greatest musical influences during your training?

My teachers: David Oistrach, Herbert von Karajan, Witold Lutoslawski.

Who do you consider to be the greatest conductors on the international platform and why?

There are many very talented conductors and they all have something good about them. However, I consider the following 'great':

Lorin Maazel - his stick technique, knowledge and musicianship; he has the ability to communicate what he wants with the tip of the baton, or just with a lift of an eyebrow. He is like a river of musical inspiration, watering and giving life not only to the music itself, but inspiring his orchestra to follow and grow.

Sir Georg Solti - because it is never too late to start and achieve greatness.

Herbert von Karajan - for what he did to promote himself and his orchestra.

Leonard Bernstein - for his energy, spirit and unconventional (sometimes quite inaccurate) interpretations.

Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink, Charles Dutoit, Neeme Yarvi, Vladimir Ashkennazy - I like their music and their achievements speak for themselves.

What would be your ideal concert to conduct?

Program:
Debussy - Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun
Any of Violin Concertos by: Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven or Khachaturian
Rachmaninov Symphony No.2 or Brahms Symphony No. 1
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic
Venue: Musikverein, Vienna

2005 is your 10th year as Artistic Director with Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra.  Can you describe the journey?  What do you hope to achieve with KPO over the next five years?

The journey has been a very enjoyable one. From the very modest beginning, it has been very gratifying to watch the orchestra grow, in terms of standard and size. The enthusiasm of the players is amazing. Most of the players have a full time day job and they still come to rehearsals with such zest, it really is amazing. Their recent awards and acknowledgements were very satisfying.

I dream now of developing the KPO into an ensemble, where I can spend more time working on orchestral sound and musical aspects. Perhaps an overseas tour and/or recording - the production of a CD/DVD?

You have been conducting a number of orchestras in China over recent years.  Can you give some perspectives of this experience?

Western music in China is developing very rapidly. The orchestras I have worked with have various levels of experience and understanding. Some of them (like the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra) give regular performances of classical western music, and working with them is not much different to working with any western orchestra. Other orchestras sound (and often behave) at the first rehearsal like an average non-professional orchestra in Australia. In such situations a lot of my effort as a conductor is directed towards orchestral playing techniques and discipline. They are great with Chinese music, but in terms of performing Western music, they have a long journey ahead. I enjoy that challenge every time.

You are also a keen sportsman, with a particular interest in soccer. What were the highlights in your soccer career? Which are your favourite teams currently and why?

Soccer is the greatest sport. My biggest achievement was to play two matches in the first team in Polish 1st division, when I was 16 year old. Unfortunately shortly after that I had to give up active sport due to time constraints - I had to practise my violin.

I follow the ups and downs of my home-team (currently at the bottom of Polish 1st division), however I enjoy watching a good European or South American football match on TV, whenever I find some time.

This year I hope to revive my 'tennis career' (very, very basic).

What do you hope for in 2005 and beyond?

In 2005 and beyond I hope to bring the orchestras that I work with to their next level and discover new musical talents, and to inspire and encourage young musicians along their musical path.