TBI Q&A: NZTrio violinist Justine Cormack
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NZTrio violinist Justine Cormack says the best way to listen to music is with an open mind and body so you can experience it without judgment and be taken to places that you may not expect.
"Sometimes you might be surprised what you enjoy - and vice versa. It is the experience that counts and music has the ability to express the whole spectrum of emotion. A really cool thing about music is that the same music can express such different things to different people - all depends on your personal perspective. We love hearing from our audience members about what their experience was of the different pieces that we've performed for them. The responses are so personal and varied."
Ensemble in Residence at The University of Auckland, NZTrio has a reputation for surprising and dazzling both contemporary and classical music lovers. The NZTrio Fire and Water tour kicks off on Sunday April 13.NZTrio violinist Justine Cormack says the best way to listen to music is with an open mind and body so you can experience it without judgment and be taken to places that you may not expect.
"Sometimes you might be surprised what you enjoy - and vice versa. It is the experience that counts and music has the ability to express the whole spectrum of emotion. A really cool thing about music is that the same music can express such different things to different people - all depends on your personal perspective. We love hearing from our audience members about what their experience was of the different pieces that we've performed for them. The responses are so personal and varied."
Ensemble in Residence at The University of Auckland, NZTrio has a reputation for surprising and dazzling both contemporary and classical music lovers. The NZTrio Fire and Water tour kicks off on Sunday April 13.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
I'd say that it somewhat differs from day to day, depending what is going on - but late morning might be my best time. When I have evening performances, I very consciously save my energy and focus for the evening - then when the concert starts, the inspiration and energy flows.
How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Eclectic but somewhat classic, simple, clean and balanced. In my home, I strive for peace and natural beauty. I don't like clutter - but minimalism is not exactly my style either, though it is my leaning.
What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Putting really different music together in a programme and experiencing the thrilling effect on us as performers and of course the audience. Not ever boring or ho hum!
How does your environment affect your work?
Hugely. I really respond to having calm and simplicity around me. I need to make sure that not too much is going on in my brain to really focus while I am practicing and playing - hence quite often I need to attend to distractions before I practice. However, sometimes this is a wonderful excuse for procrastination - amazing how much housework I can get done in such times. I also strive to be extremely physically conscious and calm as I play - to be as free and fluid in my body and mind as possible.
Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Definitely a combination - there is a time and place for both. Goals are really important, as is knowing intimately what I am aiming for and within what timeline. When I start learning a new piece, I have the performance is mind right from the start. Keeping my goals in mind (and also allowing for the evolution of the goal if necessary), I try to always be conscious of where each baby step is taking me along the way.
What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Be true to yourself. Express things the way that are meaningful to you. Integrity and being totally connected is what I believe communicates the most profoundly. Also, keep challenging yourself to move beyond your comfort zone. These things bring opportunity for thriving in the creative industry (in my humble opinion).
Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
This is tough to single out - as each project brings such different rewards. On thinking about his, I would have to respond that it is the growth of NZTrio that has brought me the most satisfaction. Over time, we get closer and closer to the heart of who we want to be as musicians and what our purpose is as a Trio. We are extremely united in our goals and that feels great.
Who or what has inspired you recently?
At Easter, I walked the Tongariro Crossing with my family. The magnificence of nature, especially here in this awesome country, is always refueling and helps me to keep the mere details of my life in perspective. I just love getting out there, and that part of New Zealand is like no other - a moon-scape wonderland. Awe-inspiring!
If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Architecture. I was always going to be an architect - actually did an intermediate year at Uni towards it. As part of that year, I was able to do performance Violin - and the rest is history.
What place is always with you, wherever you go?
This will sound cheesy and sentimental but - it's called 'the happy place' and it is when I snuggle up with my husband, Marc Taddei. We spend a lot of time apart, but 'the happy place' is always with me. Our cat Lulu visits the happy place too - and she's a great substitute when Marc is away.
What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
With an open mind and body - so that you can experience it without judgment and be taken to places that you may not expect. Sometimes you might be surprised what you enjoy - and vice versa. It is the experience that counts and music has the ability to express the whole spectrum of emotion. A really cool thing about music is that the same music can express such different things to different people - all depends on your personal perspective. We love hearing from our audience members about what their experience was of the different pieces that we've performed for them. The responses are so personal and varied. Very interesting!
You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
I would make a toy for Lulu. I would tie the fabric to the string, then the string to the stick and whirl it around. I think she would think all her Christmases had come at once.
What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Learn to breathe low, wide and full - and practice the technique when you are going to sleep. Great way to drift off!
What's great about today?
Each day brings new opportunities - the trick is how to harness them - something that hopefully I get better at with each new day.
What's your big idea for 2008?
I love these sort of questions cos it makes me realize I need to think about such things more. Um - ..love my life the way it is right now.
I've only listened to the works of Gareth Farr in concert and CD and I'm sure playing it is a completely different experience altogether so what aspect do you find the most intriguing about playing the works of Gareth Farr? - B Shen
I have played a lot of Gareth's music now - with the trio, the Triple Concerto (that we are playing with the Wellington Vector Orchestra in July this year) and much of his orchestral music. I have always enjoyed the energy of his music, and the immediacy with which I can relate to it - uncomplicated and lots of fun, but with heart at the same time. Technically as a string player his music is challenging to play - often quite exposed for the violin within his clear writing and the intervals he uses are challenging for intonation - but the end result is always satisfying for me. I love the rhythms and the exotic sounds he achieves - clearly I am a fan. He's a great guy too!
Who is your favourite composer? - J Liwag
I always struggle with this question, because I really can't single any one composer out. I am a great fan of variety and I love that every composer expresses things differently. It is this very nature that makes music interesting to me. It would be such a shame if music was all the same. I think I am a romantic at heart though, and from the experience of both playing and listening I do love the likes of Mahler, Rachmaninov, Ravel - I guess music that is dramatic, varied, colourful, breathtaking -
Does the trio use expensive very old instruments or off the shelf ones? - G Collings
I own and play a modern Italian instrument made in 2003 - it serves me well and just gets better and better. I would love to play a fine old instrument, but would need a spare $500,000+ to do measurably better than my modern violin - the dilemma of the modern string player in today's instrument market -
Ashley plays a beautiful 1762 cello by William Forster (English Maker) that has been generously loaned to him by Michael Hill. Ashley's own instrument is by a New Zealand maker Noel Sweetman who made the cello especially for Ashley.
Would you consider performing a musical piece alongside a group of actors who could interpret the music via drama? - S Pak
I would like to think that we would consider anything - sounds intriguing...
What do you believe is the spiritual significance of music? - J Vincent
I do believe that music has the potential to express beyond words, and communicate on a spiritual level - a type of soul food, I guess. I think the world would be much poorer without music and spiritually it would be a much colder place. Music can speak beyond cultural, social and political boundaries - speaking to the heart of what it means to be human. So I guess, the spiritual significance of music is that it has the ability to communicate the essence of what it is to be human - to move us emotionally and open us up to the awe of our very being. Boy - that's heavy!
What is the secret of your success? - M Lathouraki
Striving to improve - in all ways. Striving to: live with integrity, compassion (for myself and others), see the best in things, be open and non-judgemental, be myself.
08/04/08