BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Welcome to Con Fuoco, CutCommon’s interview series with emerging musicians in Australia.
Pianist and vocalist Isaac Mouskovias was born in rural Mildura, where he took the opportunity to start accompanying professionally at just 14 years old. He says he “specializes in whatever he is playing that week,” and he is experienced in Baroque opera to lieder, avant-garde, and music theatre. Isaac achieved his Associate Diploma in piano performance with distinction before auditioning for his Bachelor of Music when he was 16. He started study at the University of New England while he taught more than 50 students per week himself, and continued to travel the country as an accompanist.
Isaac pursued further study in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne to work with the APO Arts Academy, the Brighton Grammar School, and continue his freelance accompanying. Isaac’s teaching philosophy is built on the Russian School of Piano Playing. He specializes in children’s pedagogy, but also teaches students of all ages and levels.
Your all time favourite piece of music, and why?
My favourite piece of music is A Chloris, an art song by Reynaldo Hahn. Not only is it a stunning composition, but the text by Theophile de Viau is also equally as beautiful. I always say that the day I get married, if there are to be any songs performed at the ceremony, that’ll be the one!
Most memorable concert experience?
As I was sitting here thinking through some major recitals and concerts I have played for, it dawned on me that my most memorable performance experiences are always with my sister, Sophie. She is a classical vocalist currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. Up until this year, I was the only accompanist she ever used, so not only are we best friends, but we know how each other ticks, so sharing the stage is always an awesome ensemble experience of bouncing off of each other. And afterwards, we either walk off high-fiving each other, laughing – or in true sibling style, critiquing each other. She is always my honest ‘client’ when it comes to giving me feedback.
Biggest fear when performing?
As an accompanist, you have a different kind of pressure on your shoulders than when you’re a soloist – for me, anyway. And it’s a nice pressure, not a fear. It’s a badge of responsibility, to help your soloist achieve their ultimate performance. The fear comes in, though, with the sheer risk of being an accompanist. Will the soloist skip a bar? Will they come in early? Will they jump three pages? It’s both exciting and a little daunting at the same time.
Best piece of musical advice you’ve received?
When I was younger, I felt somewhat anxious over solo recitals and performances. A particular piece of advice that has really stuck with me, and that I always pass on to my students, was given to me by one of my previous teachers Catherine Hall: ‘You are always in charge of your performance when on stage’. Although it seems like a somewhat obvious piece of advice, it’s not something everyone realises until you are reminded that, yes, you are in command of that stage – not the people watching you. Catherine was, and still is, a treasure trove of advice that I very often call on. She is very much like a mother to me!
How do you psych yourself up for practice on a lazy day?
Normally watching videos or listening to recordings of amazing people are enough to inspire me and ignite my practicing on a lazy day. Or, reading books and articles or watching videos about new ideas and fresh approaches to things always gets me excited – so I can be found quickly scurrying to the piano to put them to the test.
Most embarrassing moment on stage or in rehearsal?
I was very young, about 14, and it was my first time professionally accompanying for a major singing competition. I was playing for a young girl, about eight years old, who was singing We’re Off to See the Wizard from The Wizard of Oz. The pressure got to me and it was wrong-note city, and just a rough mess. I cried when I walked off stage and profusely apologised to the young girl, who looked up at me and said, ‘What for? What happened?’. But I can assure you, her teacher knew exactly what happened! But, I learnt my lesson, and have never created a train-wreck on stage since!
Your post-gig ritual?
It always depends on who I am performing with. If they’re friends, we’ll go out for a late dinner or a drink, but if they’re not, I’ll typically just head home, find something on Netflix to watch, and wind down on the couch.
What makes you feel the proudest in your musical career so far?
I find it very difficult to pin-point one specific milestone. Because, for me, where I am now is my most proud moment. Everything I have worked for has gotten me to this point. Every rehearsal, concert, or recital I have played for, every student I have ever taught; these things all contribute to where I am and where I am going. I guess what I am saying is: I look back on where I started, and where I am now, and I am proud of the entire journey.
What do you love most about making music?
As someone who can’t always verbally express my inner-most feelings, music gives me a voice. It allows me to speak what’s in my heart, and it helps tap into emotions I sometimes struggle to deal with on my own; helps me to see and understand things within myself on a much deeper level. Many a time has a singer brought me a piece I’ve never seen, and when we began to do it, the text really hit home and it’s as if the universe brought me that piece of music on that day, in that exact moment, to help me release some pent up emotion – whether it be happy, sad, angry, the entire spectrum. It’s truly an amazing feeling.
And as an accompanist, it’s always amazing when a piece or song strikes a chord within me, and also strikes the same chord within the soloist. That’s when you truly meet musical synergy with your associate on stage, and that’s when the best music happens!
What’s your ultimate goal?
To continue to work with singers and instrumentalists, from all walks of life, from all over the planet, and of all skill levels, and create beautiful music with them.
Are you a vocalist or an instrumentalist? Contact Isaac if you would like him to chat about how he can accompany you.
Image supplied. Credit: Keisha Rose Doyle.
