This week, CutCommon chats with some of the ANAM Concerto Competition finalists, who will be performing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on 17 November. Alexander Arai-Swale, double bass, will perform the Vanhal Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra.
Alexander started cello lessons at six years old, and many years later had worked toward achieving his degree with the University of Waikoto. During his studies, he took time to tour the United Kingdom with his quartet, having received the 2014 Pettman/Royal Over-Seas League ARTS International Chamber Music Scholarship. Alexander has been broadcast on the ABC, Radio New Zealand, and BBC.
Alexander switched to double bass in 2015. His achievements on the instrument include being named finalist in the 2016 ANAM Concerto Competition, in which he was awarded Audience Prize. He also received the St. Silas ANAM Achievement Award for best first year musician, and debuted at the Melbourne Recital Centre this year. Alex plays a c.1860 Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy instrument.
Congratulations on being part of the ANAM Concerto Competition! How does it feel to progress to the finals?
Opportunities to play concerti with any orchestra are almost non-existent for double bass players, so I feel proud to be waving the bass flag in windy Hobart!
What did it take for you to make it so far in this competition?
A lot of what people see on the stage in competitions is really just a fraction of what is going on. There are families, friends, and often a cohort of teachers that go into preparing a student for a competition, and I would be remiss if I did not mention the amount I have learnt from all of these people who have helped me.
As an emerging artist, why is a competition like this important to you?
Playing in front of an orchestra is an invaluable skill that you can only learn when you actually get up there and do it, so I’m very grateful to the faculty at ANAM and my teacher Damien Eckersley for getting me to a place where I can now play with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for my second year in a row!
Tell us about the piece that you’ve decided to present. How did you choose it, and how does it show your skills?
At first I did not actually pick this piece with the concerto competition in mind. Because I’m relatively new to the bass, I’m still making my way through the main repertoire, and the Vanhal concerto was next on the list!
How do you prepare your mind and music in the days leading up to your performance?
I try to practice efficiency into my playing as much as possible. There is a stigma where the double bass is a very physically demanding instrument, but I don’t believe it is any more taxing than playing the violin if you apply some degree of method. I hope that this sort of practice will provide some sort of super-structure within which I can deliver a decent performance!
Any advice for future musicians looking to make it to the finals, too?
Just play loud, and be interesting. Always.
Alexander will perform in the ANAM Concerto Competition finals with the TSO at 7.30pm in the Federation Concert Hall. You can also read our interview with clarinet finalist Magdalenna Krstevska.
Image supplied.
