Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s June 24 concert drew a full house. PIC: Joelyn Baluyut/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The June 24 concert by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) featuring Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F was nothing short of a resounding success and a historic moment for the country.
For the first time ever, this extraordinary masterpiece, renowned for its unique fusion of jazz, blues, and ragtime with classical elements, graced the stage in Qatar, captivating the audience with its vibrant melodies and intricate harmonies.
The performance was made even more remarkable by the presence of Sonja Park, the talented pianist and the first Steinway artist in the Middle East.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Park expressed her elation at the concert’s positive response and revealed her conversation with QPO Executive Director, Kurt Meister, who shared his enthusiasm for the event and hinted at the possibility of organising similar concerts in the future.
The conductor of the concert, Hossein Pishkar, made his debut in Doha and conveyed his satisfaction with the collaboration between himself and the talented musicians of the QPO. Pishkar said the chemistry between them was remarkable, resulting in an excellent outcome.
“I think the chemistry between me and the musicians of QPO worked quite well and although it was my debut in Doha, we could achieve an excellent result together. There are already different thoughts to come together again from both sides. Hopefully we can find an appointment and a programme which could work for all of us,” he told The Peninsula. Reflecting on the concert, both Park and Pishkar shared their insights into the elements that resonated most powerfully with the audience.
Park attributed the audience’s emotional connection to her performance to her intense passion and energy, which she believes took them on an unforgettable journey. The synergy between the pianist, the conductor, the orchestra, and the audience created a beautiful chemistry that left a lasting impact on everyone present.
“I just love the moments like those and that’s why I am who I am, why I do what I do! I am so lucky to be able to feel those emotions like on stage and I get to work while those magical moments happen!” For Pishkar, the unique appeal of the concert lay in its programme, which featured a diverse range of folkloric elements from around the world. Each piece showcased different characters and colours, creating an atmosphere of joy and profound contemplation simultaneously.
The conductor stressed that live performances always carry an element of surprise, as unexpected moments can unfold during the musical journey. He acknowledged the responsibility of the conductor in bringing together all the elements harmoniously, allowing the freedom of making music to flourish.
“The conductor has to take the responsibility to bring all things together in a way, that the freedom of making music wouldn’t be disturbed. That will be always the case, simply because nobody knows, what will happen in the next moment! Thank God we are human beings and not just machines, which could repeat literally everything, everytime in the same way!”
As the concert marked a debut in Qatar, both Park and Pishkar openly discussed the challenges they faced during the performance. Park, juggling her roles as a working mother, piano teacher, and performer, confessed that learning a new piece like Gershwin’s concerto from scratch and memorising it was no small feat. The intricate jazzy harmonies and modern nature of the concerto made it a formidable task, but her determination and passion prevailed.
Pishkar, on the other hand, shed light on the conductor’s role in interpreting the composer’s vision. He highlighted the importance of understanding every aspect of the score, making rational choices to serve the structure of the piece, and effectively communicating these nuances to the musicians. Pishkar embraced the idea of continuous improvement, quoting Samuel Beckett’s famous words about trying, failing, and trying again to fail better.
