Understandably, after recording “Alma Brasileira” in Paris last month, my recital in Seoul, which started a mini-tour to South Korea, consisted of mainly Brazilian music combined with a few ‘forever-favourites’ from the French repertoire. And a week later I was to play one performance of Villa-Lobos’ most ‘accessible’ of Concertos: his no 2, with the excellent Daejon Philharmonic Orchestra under its charismatic conductor, Shinik Hahm. Of course, the rehearsal time allotted for the Concerto was too short - not the 1 st or last time – a fact which usually upsets me more than with any other composer because I take very personally the threat to Villa-Lobos’ heartfelt but naïvely orchestrated music being forever banned from the repertoire, due to a disastrous performance! Having been through the recordings and many a performance of all five of them, plus of his “Momo Precoce” and Bachianas Brasileiras no 3, I’m well aware of what’s in store…

And guess what? We were short of time for justice to be done in getting the piece as well together as it should. I was most unhappy and even considered changing composers; but at the dreaded general rehearsal, everyone was in their best behaviour, most carefully attentive and helpful, so the ensuing Concert was successful enough. I had to play encore after encore, but it is Vianna’s solo music which sends pianists into the “where and how to get the scores- mode” in order to learn the newly discovered and exciting works!

As usual in the Far East, everyone looked after me extremely well. So nice to see you again, Myung-Wha and Sam and thanks for the hospitality. Also Soo Hee (from Daejon) who went all the way to pick me up by train from and back to Seoul, at the end of my stay! Didn’t we have fun, with Euna?!

Between the two engagements, I gave a short but promising Master-Class at the University in Seoul, and then decided to teach endless youngsters from the Music Schools of Daejon. Most of the very capable translators (even Soo Hee helped) asked me whether I wasn’t exhausted from all that teaching but since I love the challenge to go from Bach to Ravel, back to Mozart, through Chopin, then Rachmaninov and end it with Brahms-Paganini -- sorry ladies: I’m not sure from where I get it, but it seems I have an enviable supply of energy and am never tired, if I enjoy the job at hand!

Not easily forgotten though, that “missing Korean thumb” or “the-left-foot-which-never-gets-near-the-soft-pedal” – nevertheless, I heard some very exciting talents whose progress I will eagerly follow; keep-up the good work all of you and most importantly: enjoy Music! I hope to hear some of you soon somewhere, definitely if I visit South Korea again! And for those interested in Fructuoso Vianna’s music: check my new CD “Alma Brasileira” (v. in Projects): it’s all there, plus a lot more!

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