Judging by your time spend in the Czech Republic attending international competitions and masterclasses, you must know the Czech Republic well. How do you like it, especially Ústí nad Orlicí?
It’s a very beautiful country. I like it and I really like the city because I like the countryside. It’s very
colorful. I started to get to know the Czech Republic more because my dad moved to Prague two years ago, so I come quite often. I think that Prague is very beautiful, and it has many beautiful places to go to. For music, especially, it’s a very good country. It has a lot of culture. Everybody knows music. In Italy, for example, we are losing the tradition of music a lot. Here, in Czech Republic, when you go to a theatre, you see a lot of young people. In Italy, it is very difficult to see young people going to the theatre. I think it is good that you have such a good culture of music and everybody knows something about it. Also, in a small city such as Ústí, there is a beautiful big music school
Your concert with the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice is a big cultural event for Ústí, how was the cooperation with the orchestra?
It’s a very beautiful experience because it was the first time that I played with such a big orchestra. In Italy, I played with a chamber orchestra or usually string ensemble, so it’s different. It’s beautiful to play Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, it is my favorite concerto. When you play, you can see that the orchestra is enjoying what they’re playing; it is a beautiful orchestra. They enjoy what they do.
You chose a very difficult piece for your concert. Do you have any favorite or least favorite parts of your performance?
The final part of the first movement and final of the third movement. You can feel that the concerto is going to the end and there is a big crescendo. It’s very beautiful.
Talking about concerts, are you planning on visiting any of the festival concerts or the performances of the participants of this year’s competition?
Yes, I want to see the performances of the competitors because last year, I didn’t enjoy it, I only enjoyed it as a competitor. Now, I want to enjoy it as a listener.
Do you listen to classical music in your free time, too?
Yes, a lot. Usually, before I play, before a concert, for example, I don’t listen to violin because sometimes it’s confusing because when you listen to a piece, it can confuse me. I usually listen to piano before concert.
Last year, after receiving your laureate title, you told the Newsletter that you do not like competitions because you play to win, but you personally want to play for the people. How do you feel now after the competition is over and your concert is approaching?
I feel very good. Usually, when I play for a competition, there are people in the hall and it is difficult because of course, you are in a competition and I try to think that I play for the people and communicate something with the audience. Tomorrow, I will try to share the feeling that I want to share.
Looking at the awards you won, I counted more than 40 of them. How did you manage to participate in so many competitions? Which of these awards means the most to you?
I think the Kocian is the most. First of all, it is organized the best. It was also the one that I enjoyed the most. I met a lot of people, a lot of friends. There was a beautiful atmosphere. Most of the competitions that I’ve done were in Italy and they were smaller. This one was very beautiful.
Did you make any friends here?
Yes, a lot! Usually, at competitions, musicians meet and even if you don’t meet for two years, you may meet again, and you are very “Oh!” about it. (laughs) It’s always like this, a lot of friends.
Did your music career somehow change after your success in the Kocian’s Violin Competition?
Yes, of course. I met a lot of people and there were many concerts after this competition. I really like it.
Are you now planning a career of a professional violinist? What do you think is essential for it?
When I started violin, my family didn’t know about it, but I always had the idea of becoming a violinist. Usually, when I make a decision, I make it for good. Sometimes, I think about doing something different than a violin and I cannot imagine it. I always try to do it the best I can. For a violin, I think, you need the desire to do it. You need to like people because you work with people. You have to love them and to stay with them. But the most important part is that you want to do it.
Why did you choose the violin? Do you ever regret your decision or maybe not having so much free time as your peers?
I started to play the violin by chance because my family, they are not musicians. My mum wanted me to have one instrument just for the cultural reasons. She thought that the music is important. At the school where I live, they didn’t teach such young people – I was five. There was only one violin teacher and my mum really liked the piano. But I chose the violin and I liked it. I am very happy that I chose the violin because I really like to listen to piano, it is my second favorite instrument to listen to, but I really do not want to play it. (laughs) I am very happy that my mum let me choose the violin. (laughs)
photo: Adam Faltus