focusCan you tell me about your routine? How do you manage to maintain such a demanding solo career?
To be honest I don't really have a routine. At the moment my schedule is very busy – I play a lot of concerts and I travel to perform, so I'm always travelling and practicing. When my schedule isn't as busy I get to travel for fun, and I practice a bit less. It all depends on my concert schedule. I'm kind of lucky that I have a pretty big solo repertoire because I performed in many competitions when I was young and learned many pieces early on.
Tell me about the program we are going to hear in your concert here in Tel-Aviv.
In this concert you will hear some of the classics from the solo-harp repertoire: Spanish Dance by Manuel de Falla, two pieces by Renie – Danses des Lutins and Contemplation, Fantasy in C minor by Louis Spohr and I will also play Wilhelm Posse's Carnival of Venice and Smetana's Moldau.
The Moldau is always very well-received in Israel, our national anthem is based on this piece.
Wow, I didn't know that. I made a lucky choice then.
Do you have a dream that you have not yet fulfilled?
Well, I always wanted to travel to Asia, and especially to Japan because sushi is one of my favorite foods. Happily, this November I'm performong in Taipei. It will be my first time in the far east, and I'm really excited about that. I'll probably use the opportunity to do some more travelling around Asia.
Any funny performance stories to share with the readers?
I have a story, but I'm not sure if it's sad or funny. In 2017 I was a contestant in the international harp competition in Mexico. I made it to the final stage, and we had to play a concerto and an encore piece. The night before the performance I learned that we had to play the encore piece from memory, by heart. I freaked out, went straight to my hotel room and started working. It was only a 5 minute piece, but it was difficult because I had to memorize everything during the night – I was practicing until 3 in the morning. I got up at 7, had a concerto reheasal with the orchestra at 10, and then spent the whole afternoon practicing my encore piece so I could perform it that evening, from memory. I ended up with the second prize.