Jeroen Berwaerts | Photo by Tsuyoshi Tachibana
Q: What are you looking forward to most about your residency at ANAM?
Jeroen: Firstly, returning to a place that you've worked before is always nice. I'm very excited to hear more talented musicians and to hear the influence of their teachers. I'm also really excited about the variety of work that we get to do together whilst I’m at ANAM.
Q: In your bio it says: “Reinvigorating the standard repertoire for trumpet with ingenious programmes and unusual contexts has become Jeroen Berwaerts’ calling card.” Can you share a bit more about that with us?
It's always been my interest to try to connect people with music. What I especially like is to connect different styles with each other and in that way also connect different kinds of audiences. I've always had a problem with people saying, ‘I like only classical music’ or ‘I like only jazz music’, etc. In my opinion, music is music and if it's well played, if it's well programmed, then I think we can offer an audience such a variety of music that they can even learn to love other styles just as well.
Q: Tell us a bit about how you curated the programs for the two concerts at ANAM.
This was a collaboration with Yoram (ANAM Head of Brass) and the ANAM Program team. So knowing the level of the students, knowing what the possibilities are, what the facilities are, where we play, so that's how we sort of came together with these programs. There's a lot of stylistic variety, which is always important for us teachers to work with the students. So they have a whole repertoire,
Q: Are there any pieces in the program/s that you’d like to highlight?
Yes, the Australian premiere of Perspectives written by Nina Šenk – an amazing Slovenian composer – which we’ve just premiered in London in May. It is a piece for solo trumpet, brass ensemble and percussion which is actually a rare combination. It’s a one movement long meditational line starting from nothing, ending with nothing and in between there are some really wild things going on. It’s a beautiful addition to the already beautiful repertoire we have in the brass world.
Q: What can the audience expect when they come to your concerts at ANAM?
These concerts are like going to a nice restaurant and having a surprise menu – there will be very light courses served, and some heavier courses. Definitely a beautiful dessert at the end. The audience will not be disappointed.
Q: Our musicians are at that point in their careers where they are moving from talented student to professional artist – how important is this period in their careers?
In our younger years we are very influential that’s why I find it extremely important to offer students modern music as well as traditional and standard repertoire. The variety gives students the possibility to taste everything, so they can find their own place, their own directions. Not only purely pedagogically to find their way, but also for the motivation and energy.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m so much looking forward to finally be back in Australia, in Melbourne… and very much looking forward to the amazing coffee!
– originally published in Music Makers v48
Yoram Levy, Head Of Brass and Trumpet | Photo by Pia Johnson
Q: How do these concerts differ from other brass-led concerts we’ve performed at ANAM?
Yoram: It is basically a well used format but the abilities of Jeroen as a player, leader and educator make the concerts extra versatile and interesting.
Q: Would you be able to share advice for audience members who may be less acquainted with trumpet music or classical music in general?
Just sit back and enjoy the music. It is lively, soulful, and interesting.
Q: Which piece/s are you most excited to perform/hear performed in this concert? What makes this piece/s special to you?
There are a number of pieces that are special. For the brass enthusiasts, Oscar Bohme sextet and the Gaubaidulina trio, and for the general public Grieg and Weill are very exciting.
Q: What do you want the ANAM musicians to get out of working with Jeroen in preparing and performing these concerts?
For the ANAM musicians to actually perform alongside Jeroen is a priceless experience. As well is being coached and led by him stylistically and technically.
Listen to Jeroen Berwaerts and Yoram Levy perform at:
Jeroen Berwaerts: A Requiem in our Time (Program 1)
Fri 15 Sept 7pm
The Good Shepherd Chapel (next to Abbotsford Convent)
Jeroen Berwaerts: A Requiem in our Time (Program 2)
Sat 16 Sept 3pm
Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent