Cristian Măcelaru, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), joined Classical IPR for a special pre-concert interview.
He returns to Interlochen this weekend to lead the World Youth Symphony Orchestra in two performances.
Saturday night at Kresge Auditorium, he collaborates with pianist Lang Lang in Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue."
"I have known Lang Lang for many years. We’re celebrating not just someone's global impact and artistry, but also someone that works with young artists and young musicians, like we do at Interlochen." says Măcelaru.
"I was glad to be able to offer a role model to the young musicians at Interlochen."
On Sunday, Măcelaru takes the podium at the Interlochen Bowl for the 98th annual performance of "Les Préludes."
Tune in to hear Classical IPR's broadcast of both concerts:
- Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. — Lang Lang performs "Rhapsody in Blue"
- Sunday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. — 98th annual "Les Préludes"
Classical IPR's pre-show begins Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m ET; downbeat and our live broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Listen to Măcelaru's full interview with Classical IPR's Amanda Sewell by clicking "Listen" above, or read the edited transcript below.
Amanda Sewell: We have quite a weekend ahead of us here at Interlochen. We'll have music of John Williams and George Gershwin and feature Lang Lang performing with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra.
You and Lang Lang have worked together before, most recently last year during the Olympics.
Cristian Măcelaru: I have known Lang Lang for many years. And of course as artists, we collaborate in various ways. But our collaboration last year was probably one of the most unique opportunities because we were celebrating the upcoming opening ceremony of the Olympics that was in Paris.
And with my orchestra, Orchestra National de France, we performed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the 14th of July, which is Bastille Day in Paris. Several million people that watch this event live. Prominent artists and athletes and important people were ran with the Olympic torch as it was approaching Paris.
Lang Lang, of course, was one of those people. After the torch celebration, he came to the stage and we performed one movement of the Rachmaninoff second piano concerto for the public.
AS: And Lang Lang is coming here to Interlochen in northern Michigan for the very first time, it's his only stop in Michigan on his current tour. So it's not the Olympics, it's not the foot of the Eiffel Tower, but it certainly will be a new experience for him. What have your conversations been like leading up to this?
CM: You know, he's someone that is very passionate about education and about young people understanding music in their life.
He has made great efforts with his own organizations to promote classical music in China. In fact, there are hundreds and thousands of young piano players that have taken up this initiative that he has started.
[We’re celebrating] not just someone's global impact and artistry, but also someone that works with young artists and young musicians, like we do at Interlochen. We try to inspire them to have more passion and more energy for this beautiful life in the arts. His presence, I think, is absolutely perfect.
AS: In the past when we've talked, you've spoken about how much you value being the person who introduces these young Interlochen musicians to composers and key pieces of repertoire for the first time.
Is it a similar feeling with introducing them to a new soloist as well?
CM: Absolutely. It's wonderful to be the person that makes the connection or makes the introduction between friends. It’s so wonderful to see [the excitement of] the young artists here at Interlochen.
I can tell there's an added level of energy on stage. It's so important to have role models and heroes that you look up to as a young person that actually portray something really beautiful and valuable in life.
That role model will be taken up by someone, and it's better if it's someone that has given their life to others by sharing their artistry, talent and hard work.
I was glad to be able to offer a role model to the young musicians at Interlochen.
AS: What are you most looking forward to with this Saturday night program featuring Lang Lang here at Interlochen?
"As an alum and as a former camper, and having played “Les Préludes” in the orchestra, this brings back so many memories and beautiful feelings."Conductor Cristian Măcelaru
CM: One of the things that is really special for me is when I walk on stage in Kresge Auditorium and see the audience. The energy that the audience brings to a concert... it's so palpable.
Also, I love the youthful energy of the students. From that first moment I step on stage and I see the audience… it's such a special moment. There is no moment like that, and I always look forward to that very much.
AS: Sunday's a special night because it's the final concert of the Interlochen Arts Camp season. It has that iconic performance of “Les Préludes” at the end. How are you preparing for that?
CM: As an alum and as a former camper, and having played “Les Préludes” in the orchestra, this brings back so many memories and beautiful feelings.
For the students, there’s an intensity. It's also the culmination of six weeks of studying and performing together. They've created really close friendships.
There's something magical that happens by the end of the six weeks where it feels as though you have known people for your entire life, even though it's only been six weeks.
Having experienced those feelings as a student myself, it is very emotionally charged. I am swept away by my own emotions and feelings of what this place truly represents for me. I am so happy to be able to share this with the 200 plus students that are on stage for this performance.
AS: When the concert master steps up to conduct, you take their violin and play with the orchestra while the concert master conducts and breaks the baton. Do you have to practice that? It's something you did yourself when you were the concert master of WYSO.
CM: It's a personal nod to my time as a violinist and how proud I was to be the concertmaster of WYSO. It was such an honor. It continues to be one of my most important achievements in my life. To sit back in that chair as concertmaster of WYSO, it's something that I take with great pleasure and pride.
And yes, breaking the baton is not really something you can practice, There’s not a pile of batons that we can keep breaking.
