BY LILY BRYANT
Like many musicians, I dread the question: “So what made you choose the [insert instrument here]?”.
This is mostly because I wish I had a better answer; that it was my grandmother’s favourite instrument, or that it came to me in a dream, or that I was struck by some divine inspiration.
In reality, I’d been placed in a school band, and when the teacher asked who wanted to play the flute, my friends put their hands up. So I did, too.
But ask the same question to flautist Ana de la Vega, and you’ll get a far more fascinating answer.
One day, at her childhood home in rural New South Wales, she heard Jean-Pierre Rampal’s recording of Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto, and decided then and there she wanted to become a flautist – not knowing what an orchestra was, or what a flute even looked like.
Now, she’s just released her debut album Mozart and Mysliveček’s Flute Concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra, which has received critical acclaim across Europe. She talks to us about what it’s like to go from a country girl growing up on a farm in Australia to a musician achieving success on an international stage.
Firstly, congratulations on the success of your debut album! What is it about the Mozart and Mysliveček concertos that drew you to record them with the English Chamber Orchestra?
Thank you very much! I am thrilled with the unbelievable reaction to my album and so pleased it is being listened to by so many around the world!
Mozart’s two flute concertos are nothing short of exquisite. Mozart is the ‘bread and butter’ of any musician’s repertory, but for me Mozart has been at the heart of my musical journey thus far. The English Chamber Orchestra are legendary for their Mozart recordings and given our close relationship, it made perfect sense to record this together! Joseph Mysliveček is a somewhat forgotten composer, yet the only composer about whom Mozart spoke of with utmost respect. I am so excited that I have been able to bring his wonderful flute concerto to light!
You say you decided to become a flautist upon hearing a recording of Jean-Pierre Rampal, despite having never even seen a flute before. What was it about hearing the instrument for the first time that made you fall in love?
It was the unbelievable purity of sound that reached me to the core, coupled with the indescribable beauty of Mozart’s music – the second movement of the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto. I could never imagine such magic existed!
You grew up on a farm in rural New South Wales with no musical heritage. How did this shape your experience when you actually began learning the flute?
My first flute teacher lived a couple of kilometres away, and a few times I rode my horse to my lesson and tied him to the fence! To think of that now is so hilarious!
While I had no musical heritage, I have a lot of art in my family – painting, design, sculpture, etc. So there was support, appreciation, and a lot of kilometres driven by my mum to flute lessons!
In an official statement about your album you’ve described your life as a performer in Europe as “a long way from the flies and dust”. What does it mean to you to be representing your community on such a large international stage?
I feel so proud and grateful every time a walk out on stage! Gratitude and wonder are there for me every time.
I also feel a touch of consolation for having left my family and country. Now, however, my dream is to perform more at home!
Despite your humble beginnings, you’ve received so much international acclaim. What do you feel is the most important factor in your success?
I think the biggest contributing factor to my success is that I care more about my audience than I do about myself. This wasn’t always so, but a few years ago I realised it’s actually not about me – it’s about the people that have come to the concert hall. Perfecting an artform requires so much focus and thinking about oneself, so it’s very easy to slip into a construct of self-importance.
Music doesn’t have a use if there are no ears to hear it! So when I play, my priority is to give rather than to prove, and I think people feel that.
What message do you hope to send to other young Australian musicians growing up in rural areas like you did?
It’s not only about being brilliant. A lot of people reach a level of brilliance or perfection. It’s your character and your enthusiasm that can carry you through. Believe in it, envision yourself there, and ask a lot of people a lot of questions!
Most importantly, try to remember that, as flautist Johann Joachim Quantz said, ‘For that which does not come from the heart does not easily reach the heart’.
Ana de la Vega’s new album Mozart and Mysliveček’s Flute Concertos is out now. Listen on Spotify or find out more on Ana’s website.
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