1st June 2009
The Sir Charles Mackerras Orchestral Leader Scholarship
John Stein, Ilze Kirsanova and Sir Charles Mackerras
Ilze’s Experience
Recipient of the 2008/9 Charles Mackerras
Scholarship, Ilze Kirsanova describes how she has found her year at
RWCMD incredibly fulfilling. “I have enjoyed it from the first
moment. Before I came here I always had all these questions when I
was leading an orchestra; am I doing it right, should I play more,
should I lead more..? Whilst studying at the College I’ve had the
opportunity to ask all of these questions. I am so much more
confident now,” she says.
Born in Latvia, she began playing the violin
at the age of 6. She won first prize in the Latvian Young Musician
Competition in 1997 and went on to study at the Jazep Vitols
Latvian Academy of Music. Before coming to the UK she already held
the prestigious position of 3rd Violin in the Latvian
National Symphony Orchestra. She had never heard of anything like
this innovative training before and recalls how she thought,
“Wow! This is something new and interesting.”
The year has held many highlights for Ilze but
one that she recalls as being particularly momentous was the RWCMD
Symphony Orchestra Concert in which she led the orchestra for
Beethoven’s 9th with Sir Charles Mackerras conducting.
She describes Sir Charles’ incredible energy, “This was a man
at his peak, even at 84. Sometimes we were exhausted but there was
no sign of him tiring.” John Stein agrees, “I think Sir
Charles Mackerras was one of the great conductors of the world. The
energy he had when he was on the rostrum was really quite
remarkable.”
World renowned conductor, Sir Charles
Mackerras’ 60-year career was characterized by his musicological
expertise, meticulous preparation and highly charged performance.
He had an unusually large repertoire that ranged from Janacek to
Handel to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was known for his pioneering
work in authentic historical performance. As leader of the
orchestra, the week that Sir Charles spent rehearsing with the
RWCMD was a unique opportunity for Ilze to learn from such a
master, discuss the finer details of the music and receive expert
feedback on her performance.
How did the scholarship come
about?
John Stein and Sir Charles Mackerras were
working together at WNO. They began to discuss the need for
training for orchestral leadership. Such training could provide
study on how to approach different repertoire, the relationship
between leader, conductor and orchestra, the importance of
diplomacy and other aspects of this crucial role within the
orchestra. In conjunction with the Royal Welsh College of Music and
Drama, they began to form the idea for an exciting new training
scheme. Working with RWCMD, John agreed to tutor the chosen
candidate and Sir Charles was to provide the first Charles
Mackerras Orchestral Leader Scholarship. Attracting interest from
all over the globe, Ilze Kirsanova was chosen as the first
recipient.
John reflects on the past year, “Working
with Ilze has been wonderful. I have really enjoyed it. I am also
enjoying having a closer association with the College.”
What has the scholarship meant to
Ilze?
It has been a life changing experience. She
has been able to expand her repertoire, experiencing English music
for the first time; she has studied with professional conductors,
orchestra leaders and other musicians; and has gained first hand
experience of working with a range of professional ensembles. In
July 2009 she returned to her position with the Latvian
National Symphony Orchestra as she began the next stage of what is
sure to be an exciting and rewarding career.
She advises the next candidate to enjoy every
moment and take everything from this experience that they can,
“The time goes so fast and there are many things to
learn.”
Following its introduction in 2008/9,
RWCMD will once again be offering the Sir Charles Mackerras
Orchestral Leader Scholarship in 2009/10.
To read more about the Sir Charles Mackerras Orchestral Leadership
Scholarship.