Next March 15, the Dominican violinist Aisha Syed will reach a new milestone in his career by presenting himself at the emblematic Wigmore Hall from London.
This theaterconsidered one of the most important centers for musical interpretation at level worldis recognized For its impeccable acoustics, its elegant design and its intimate atmosphere, which makes it the dream scenario for any musician.
Having shone in spaces as prestigious as the Carnegie Hall and the philharmonic BerlinSyed expresses with emotion and pride the privilege of representing its Dominican Republic once again, carrying its talent to the top.
In this Dialogue Freethe violinist shares her preparation For this transcendental moment, the pieces you have selected for your recital and how the music He becomes a powerful connection route, not only with his audience, but also with his personal purpose.
—How does the opportunity to introduce yourself at the Wigmore Hall And what sensations generates this space?
At the beginning of last year I received an invitation mail from theater of the Wigmore Hall And it was really an incredible experience.
He Wigmore Hall it’s a theater that has been having the most significant and outstanding musicians and Composers of the music classic. So, for me, as Dominican, as Latin American, is something that fills me with a lot of emotion and happiness.
“This will be one of the great milestones in your career.” What others have been recorded in your memory?
Touch on him Carnegie Hall Already four times in all its auditoriums, from El Grande, El Stern, the Philharmonic of Berlinthat for me was incredible.
Play with orchestras such as Qatar Philharmonic, in Victoria Hall In Switzerland, the Royal Opera House in India, which in fact we will return this year, with the foundation of the teacher Zubin Mehta, the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation in New Delhi.
So, for me that was incredible. I would say that, and now with the Wigmore Halldefinitely enters the Top 3.
“What pieces did you choose for this concert And why did you select them?
From Wigmore Hall They asked me to submit the program that I was going to choose, and then they asked me to make some changes.
Ended up being a complete program of Composerssome a little more contemporary, such as Wynton Marsalis, Florence Pricea woman, there is also Samuel Colleridge-Taylor and William Grant Still.
They are works that I have played around the world, new ones for me, so it is not just such a great emotion to be in the scenerybut to touch these pieces for the first time in my life, after so many years of career.
-With what violin will you touch?
I will play with a Stradivarius Stevensfrom Florian Leonhard Fine Violins, valued at 9.5 million dollars.
“How do you prepare mentally and physically for a recital in such a prestigious scenario?”
The preparation It is exhaustive, so to speak, and really the daily hours that one has to pass are innumerable. I have two little ones, so you imagine how my daily live.
I do all those hours of practice while they are at school, and then already try to divide among many things. It is very intense. Really with a new work is something very delicate, but very excitingbecause it is like a fresh respite, if you want, in the repertoire.
“Do you have a special routine before concert?
There is something that I always do, always, always, and it is heat. I heat up Hymns Christians, specifically three who have accompanied me around my life, and those are “Amazing Grace”, “Come Thou Fount” and “Only in Christ.”
Not only do they help me heat Super good, they also help me focus on real purpose of my life, not only through words, but of action.
“In this recital, is there any aspect of the program that you feel that will be especially significant?”
Of course. In fact, all Composers They are from the diaspora Of the African Americans, and people who have had a huge tour and who have contributed a lot to the black community.
For me, highlighting that part is incredible. He Wigmore Hall He thought of me because of my album Heritage, which we include one of William Grant Still’s works.
They, following having heard that album, invited me and asked me for a program similar to that. And for me that has been a huge privilege, being able to be a voice for the diaspora. For me it is a dream come true, something like crazy, that I did not think I was going to happen.
“You can say you’ve taken your music for the five continents. What scenarios are left to try or do you have special illusion to play?
Australia. I want to introduce myself in SydneyI need to complete that global space. There are many wonderful spaces, but I also want to repeat in the philharmonic Berlinthis time with the orchestra. That is like my last dream.
“How did your professional career change your motherhood?”
For me my children have been so blessingthat is, not only in the aspect of being a mother, which is very beautiful, but at the same time it is like every time a child has come to me, very good things have come to me in my career and I really do not see it as no hindrance.
Everything mine is first focused on their good. My children mean the happiness of me life.
“Why have you stayed in the Dominican Republic with the few opportunities that a classic soloist has here?”
Is that my opportunities are in the world. For me Dominican Republic is my place, where I can have my personal life at a level where I can restI can be with my children, with my husband, have my life familiarbecause my mother lives here and two of my three brothers.
For me that structure Familiar has been very important, also my husband and I wanted to give that identity to our children, because I was born here, I went to London at age 13, and my Dominican identity was super good formed. That is, we are Dominicans and we love that.
It doesn’t seem good to erase a identity Cultural because of the fact that one believes that he will go to a country better. You are doing better where you do, and in a world as global as today, take a plane It’s nothing, everyone lives it.
Your connection with the public
Contact with public It is essential for any artist and Aisha Syed knows it very well.
The violinist highlights the importance of her approach In each interpretation, not only as a experience Emotional, but also intellectual.
For Syed, “it’s very important, first of all, be focused on giving my best for God, for the audience, for him public”
Its objective goes beyond executing the parts; seeks to faithfully represent the ideas of the Composersimmersing themselves in the contexts and experiences that could have influenced the creation of these works.
“Look for represent Trustly those Composershis ideas, and think about what they were perhaps going through their lives at the time they wrote and composed those pieces, ”he explains.
Syed also underlines the importance of emotionally connecting with the publicbut it is not limited only to that. “For me it is very important, perhaps, to save the quality of everything I try to offer as something that I am in front of the public And that they can appreciate, not only at the emotional level, but intellectual, ”he says.
The violinist knows that the music classic It can be complex, and its approach not only seeks to excite, but also enrich the understanding of public About the work. “The music classic It is sometimes a little difficult to understand compared to other things, ”he reflects.
Always aware of the meaning of the place he steps on and from those who have passed through there, their focus on each presentation is to offer the best of itself to exalt your native Dominican Republic.
