Hiroaki Takenouchi reflects on his recital at Musique at le Genesteix with presenter Stephen Pettitt in a video interview, filmed in the garden of Stephen’s house in the French countryside.
Hiroaki gives insight into the experience of performing in such an intimate setting, where a small number of invited guests sit in close proximity to the venue’s 1899 Pleyel grand piano. For this programme, Hiroaki paired music by British composer Helen Hopekirk with Schubert’s monumental Sonata in B flat, D960, a work that he was keen to perform in a room that allows close contact between the artist and audience.
Speaking with Stephen, Hiroaki describes Schubert’s sonata as being “ultimately an intimate, private expression” and says that he saw this concert as an unmissable opportunity to perform it in a setting that closely resembles its origins. Stephen praised Hiroaki’s performance, describing it as “incredibly individual, highly differentiated, with lots and lots of varied colours” and confessing that the slow movement had moved him to tears. Click here to listen to their conversation.
Discussing the importance of honesty when forming an interpretation of a work, Hiroaki says that it is risking extremes of expression over the course of many performances eventually leads to an interpretation, as opposed to seeking a definitive version from the outset.
Hiroaki is known for championing the work of British female composers of the twentieth century whose work was neglected during their lifetime. His inclusion of music by Helen Hopekirk on this programme inspired Stephen to inquire into his thoughts on the current state of encouraging the work of female composers. Hiroaki’s answer reveals his deep consideration of the issue; in order to find the great composers of the age, he says, “we need to give everyone the platform”. Watch this portion of the interview by clicking here.
Hiroaki can next be heard performing at the Guiting Music Festival in Gloucestershire, alongside pianist Simon Callaghan. Find more details by following the link below.
