Songs of a King from Luxemburg on the Georgian Stage

On April 8, at the invitation of the Djansug Kakhidze Music Center, classic music lovers were given a wonderful opportunity to listen to Dvorjak’s masterpieces. This was a special day, as the Tbilisi Symphonic Orchesta played with distinguished guests from abroad: conductor Cipriano Marinesku (Romania), and Luxemburg’s well-known violinist Sandrine Cantoreggi.

Sandrine Cantoreggi is famous for her elegant manner of playing. “Magnificent Violin technician… Interpreter of great maturity, she vibrates and possesses a vivid imagination…” Writes one critic. “Vehemence and sensibility. A performance reflecting ease and fluidity as well as a dynamism free of any physical constraint. Her approach is always accompanied by a brilliant sound presence, an erudite happiness and splashing of joy,” writes Luxembourg Wort. GEORGIA TODAY had a chance to talk to her.

Your name means ‘song of a king’ in Italian. Is it just words, or are you from a noble family?

It’s just words. I was born in France. I have both citizenships – French and Luxemburg. But my name is Italian and I also feel Italian.

You are very well-known as a soloist violin player as well as a chamber musician. Which is more to your taste?

When I play a concerto, I often get in the mood to play solo. Chamber music is different. You have a dialogue. The same happens with the symphonic orchestra. However, chamber music is more intimate. But I play in the moment, so it’s difficult to say which I prefer. I like both.

If you were given a color, which color would you paint Georgian music?

One color would not be enough. Music comprises numerous different feelings. But I would definitely give very deep colors to Georgian music.

You come from the Franco-Belgian School. You are also integrated in the Russian School of violin. What difference is there for you?

When I play French music and composers, it is a different style and I research different colors that may help the Franco-Belgian School. I also had a chance to meet a Russian teacher. This mixture for me is a great richness, because I can express myself in different ways using various techniques.

You play everything from Baroque to contemporary. Where is music going nowadays?

There are a lot of different directions. For me, it’s always important that there be an association between mind and heart.

Which was the most memorable day in your career?

When I met with Yehudi Menuhin (note: American-born violinist and conductor), and practiced with him. He was already a very old man. He wasn’t playing anymore, but he was conducting concerts. I had a chance to play under his direction and to make a recording. It is something that I’ll never forget. Also, everything my teachers told me is very important. Sometimes, before concerts, I remember their words and they help me.

Which Georgian music or composers are you familiar with?

I know the music of Kancheli. While here, I met a few composers who gave me music but I haven’t had the chance to look through them yet. I’ve heard that there are quite a few violin concertos in Georgia. I will also look for them.

Have you heard of our eminent female violinist Liana Isakadze?

Of course. She lives in Paris. I’ve never met her, but I’ve listened to her. She’s fantastic. I’ve alo heard of Liza Batiashvili.

Tel us about your visit and Dvorjak

This is my first collaboration with maestro Cipriano Marinesku and this is a beautiful concerto, full of folklore. It is the combination of classical with a lot of different moods threaded throughout the music. So, we, together with the conductor and the Georgian orchestra, are discovering this Czech composer just now. It contains the mood of dancing, that of sadness, happiness, etc.

Maka Lomadze