Interview with Ondrej Lenárd, Chief Conductor
When I called Mr. Lenárd in the middle of the summer, I was almost sure to catch him in his garden. Indeed – he was just supporting branches buckling under the rich harvest of peaches. He needed the relaxation in the arms of nature filled with beautiful scents more than ever because it was only 8 July when he closed the season together with “his” radio “symphonians” by returning from a tour across Japan which lasted almost three weeks.
How is it possible to cope with such a difficult thing? Fourteen concerts, several soloists, various music-halls, long transfers, time lag, physical as well as mental stress? I think that even a thirty-year-old would be ready to drop …
There is an old motto, proven and certainly true – there is nothing more beautiful than when your job is your hobby. For me, music is part of my organism. My body would not live without it. What helps me to handle a strenuous tour? It is a mental doping in the first place. If I started to realize what is ahead of me, what I have to go through mentally and physically, I would not handle it. Still, such attributes as love for music, responsibility regarding representing our culture, or effort not to disappoint – that is the comfort, the most beautiful “drug” which will not let you drown.
Have the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra proven as a good “pal”?
That is the most important thing – to have such a great instrument in your hands, it is a pure joy, inspiration as well as a stimulating element that forms a prerequisite for handling such a strenuous tour. It needs to be realized that this was already the tenth tour of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in Japan. The previous tours were very successful (without that a re-engagement would not be possible) and I wanted very much not to harm the reputation of this top orchestra in Japan.
No doubt that you have even increased it! So now you are enjoying a well-deserved rest, what nice moments have you had this summer? (And have you let music in your holiday programme or have you banned it?)
Summer is a symbol of relaxation for everyone. I am not the kind of person who enjoys sunbathing and doing nothing... I refuse this! My garden is the most beautiful “summer beach”. When I am watching the fruit of my work, branches covered with fruit, red tomatoes, beautiful peppers or other vegetables… it is just awesome! And music does not leave me even in this relaxation oasis. On the contrary, it is “the water of my teeming garden” I need for the upcoming season.
You are an artist who is very close to vocal music so I would take the liberty of reckoning that the piece close to your heart within the opening concert will be Verdi’s Quattro Pezzi Sacri. Am I wrong?
Who would not like this opera icon? He is an author who managed to immerse me completely in the world of passions, intrigues, love, hatred, anger, happiness... and most importantly in his immortal musical invention. You would be surprised but his Quattro Pezzi Sacri will be my premiere. I hope that I will not make Mr. Verdi upset! The Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno is a choir of a very high quality. My past experience can only prove what I have just said. The choir is always perfectly prepared thanks to their Choir Master Petr Fiala, they dispose of very quality voices, wide range of tone colours, lyricism as well as dramatism, and the communication on the stage is great.
How often do you encounter the work of Richard Wagner in your opera career – and how do you enjoy it?
I have one recording of Wagner’s Tristan with a genius conductor Carlos Kleiber. After the last chord I just have a sigh – it’s a pity that it’s over! I have a strong relationship to his Tanhäuser, Lohengrin or Ring. He speaks to me with his musical philosophy, huge symphonic-vocal thrust and charge. And the overture to the third act of Lohengrin fascinated me as a student already with its fireworks.
Have you cooperated with the soloist Ms. Ludmila Peterková in the past?
I know Ms. Peterková but unfortunately only from the records or TV broadcasts. But I know that she is a tremendous artist and I am looking forward to our making music together.
As the Chief Conductor of the Radio Symphony Orchestra you are entering the third season. What is going through your mind at these moments?
I am looking forward to it; I am looking forward to our cooperation in the new season very much. It is a great orchestra, real musicians of “flesh and blood”, quality players making music at full stretch. But most importantly they are very nice and friendly people. This is why I have one thing on my mind – to justify their trust and to manage to get on with them well in terms of creative as well as interpersonal relations. We have beautiful projects, great soloists. I will just enjoy the favour of the audience which is the best treat for us.
