Jader Bignamini has conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) since their 2020-2021 season. He and DSO musicians are at Interlochen this weekend for two concerts, including a side-by-side concert with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday's program opens with "Don Juan" by Richard Strauss and includes Ludwig van Beeethoven's "Eroica" Symphony.
Sunday's program features Dvorak's "New World" Symphony and the overture to "Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi.
Jader Bignamini visited with IPR's Kate Botello after rehearsing with WYSO musicians and discussed his upcoming concerts at Kresge Auditorium.
"I enjoy every opportunity I have to work with young musicians, young talents," he says. "I’m enjoying the enthusiasm and the energy they have during rehearsals."
Listen to the full interview or read the edited transcript below.
Attend the concerts in person or listen to the live broadcasts on Classical IPR.
The concerts and live broadcasts on Saturday and Sunday begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Kate Botello: You have two concerts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra coming up. And two great big pieces of work: “Eroica” and “Don Juan.” Why do you think these pieces are so popular?
Jader Bignamini: They are two masterpieces. “Don Juan” and Beethoven's Third [Symphony] have incredible majesty in their music. There’s a lot of power and big, exciting moments. I love the orchestration in “Don Juan,” and Strauss was a genius. One of my favorite moments of classical music is the oboe and clarinet solo. It is a magic moment of music. So delicate and so inspiring.
And about Beethoven's third, we have to remember that this symphony is Beethoven's favorite symphony. It is longer than usual for that time. A 50-minute symphony was pretty long for the time.
My favorite moment is the second movement. It is full of different feelings, different moods. Officially, it's the “marche funebre,” but there are different feelings. There is sadness, of course, but there is also happiness. It's very well orchestrated and the audience will enjoy it from the first to the last note of this symphony.
KB: How have rehearsals with the WYSO been going so far?
JB: We are rehearsing so well. I enjoy every opportunity I have to work with young musicians, young talents. I’m enjoying the enthusiasm and the energy they have during rehearsals.
KB: I love to hear that. All of our conductors have said that so far. It’s good to hear they are maintaining that throughout the summer. And of course they get a special treat in this performance playing alongside members of the DSO. How are your DSO colleagues approaching working with these young students?
JB: They are very happy and proud to be part of these projects. They enjoy sharing music with new generations.
KB: There’s the famous English horn solo in [Dvorak’s] “New World” Symphony. Will that be performed by a student or a member of the DSO?
JB: It will be performed by a student; by a very talented student. She plays so well. She improves every time. This solo is a very demanding solo, even for a professional musician because it's so long.
KB: What advice do you have for her?
JB: My advice is not just for her but for all the musicians on stage. When they play a solo, I tell them to enjoy their music and to express something.
KB: What do you think are the most important musical lessons for WYSO to take with them from these two pieces specifically?
JB: The “New World” Symphony is probably closer to the [musical] language that they know. I'm trying to teach them to be prepared to play all together and to listen to each other because it's the most important thing when you play in the orchestra.
KB: If you had one wish for these young musicians during your week with WYSO, what would it be?
JB: I hope that they can keep their enthusiasm for all their life. It’s easy to have enthusiasm after two years or three years or five years. But after 30 or 40 years it is not easy and I admire when I see orchestra musicians who have been playing for 25 or 30 years and they still have the enthusiasm. Especially after experiences like this concert with DSO, I hope this carries them through for the rest of their careers.
