Honolulu Star Bulletin
May 9 2005
Khachaturian is a thrilling turning point
Some childhood memories are so vivid, they stick with you for life.
When I was 11, one such moment forever altered my outlook on
classical music. I was a committed violin student by then, but always
the shy and obeying kind, never too rebellious.
‘Iggy Jang Plays Khachaturian’
Alasdair Neale conducts the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra:
One day, I heard the Khachaturian Violin Concerto and it hit me like
lightning. Their music was stormy, exotic, melodic, hypnotizing,
sensual and racy all together — for all I knew at that age. It was
an epiphany. From then on, I thought that playing the violin could be
thrilling!
Much to my delight, my teacher eventually taught me the concerto. As
years went by and my knowledge of the violin repertoire grew, I never
forgot that turning point. And now, here I am, ready to relive the
experience! This weekend I will present this work with guest
conductor maestro Alasdair Neale and the Honolulu Symphony.
Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto brings exhilarating flavors to the
palate. I will always remember the graphic descriptions my teacher
used: “Mon petit Ignace,” Madame Elphége would say, “Play this tune
like you’re carrying a blade between your teeth, riding a horse in
pursuit of the enemy!” I never replied. My teacher had an
intimidating presence, which only exacerbated my shyness. So I would
just nod, petrified. But inside, I felt the energy of the rhythms,
the tension and the drive.
A week later, I played a sweet melody from the concerto. I remember
her saying: “La la la laa, come on Ignace, sing!”
Now that I’m older, this melody reminds me of an exotic veiled woman
performing a tantalizing dance. Occasionally, I still use these terms
with my own students.
Even now, it’s not so easy talking to Madame Elphége. When I visited
her last year, I found myself feeling 6 years old all over again,
walking to my lesson as slowly as possible. The best part was the
relief once the lesson was over, and the warm “pain au chocolat” from
the bakery that my mother would have for me.
Today, I am forever grateful to my teacher for encouraging me to be
the best violinist I could be. And this weekend, I hope to convey all
the colors from the Khachaturian Concerto that she once so eloquently
described.
Nothing but a full orchestra could produce all those colors. The
flutes, oboes, clarinets and brass bring hypnotizing twirls,
snake-charming dances and warrior-like rhythms to the music.
Aram Khachaturian, a 20th-century Armenian composer, was deeply
influenced by the folk music of his cultural heritage. The concerto’s
appeal and beauty provoked the composer Stravinsky to compare it with
“Lokum” or Turkish Delights. Rather odd if you ask me, because
Armenia and Turkey are the fiercest of rivals.
You’re in great hands with Maestro Neale. Recent engagements have
seen him conduct some of the world’s most renowned orchestras, from
New York to Stuttgart, from Sydney to Paris. The musicians are always
eager to make music with guest conductors. In a way, it’s like having
a famous guest chef come to your favorite restaurant and cook for
you. Who could refuse such an offer?
Back in the late ’70s, one of the Honolulu Symphony’s guest
conductors was Khachaturian himself. It turned out to be one of his
last concerts. Some of his most popular music was presented to a
packed audience, including “Saber Dance” and the violin concerto.
This weekend, I hope to make his spirit proud with a performance
bound for memory lane.