BY JO ST LEON
Disclaimer: This feature was written under the guidance of Curtain University through Open Universities Australia as part of Jo’s studies in Professional Writing and Publishing. It has been edited by CutCommon.
Cellist and pedagogue Janis Laurs was farewelled by his colleagues at the Elder Conservatorium this June. A few days later, he was en route to Latvia to participate in the Big Song Festival, because he loves to sing. And the day after I interviewed him, he was heading to Sigulda, Latvia, to teach and perform at an international masterclass series held in a building shaped like a grand piano.
A man with immense energy and a passion for music, Janis created a boutique career for himself (before this became a thing). He now seems set to pioneer the boutique retirement.
Janis’ early inspiration came from listening to singers on ABC radio, and he sang in a boys’ choir before learning the cello. His two main teachers were James Whitehead in Adelaide, and Switzerland’s Pierre Fournier – one of the truly great cellists of the day. Janis describes them as “not great teachers, but inspiring personalities and cellists. They were great musicians. So [I learnt] by example”.
Janis describes chamber music as his great love. In 1985, he became a founding member of the Australian String Quartet, with whom he performed and toured extensively until 1997. Violinist Elinor Lea, the quartet’s then-second violinist, remembers the joy of performing alongside him.
“He always played from here,” she says, pointing to her stomach. “From the gut.”
“He never thought about anything – it was all instinctive. Even if he only had two notes to play, they would be unbelievably beautiful. If you work with someone a lot, they will influence you, so this was a quality that communicated itself to all of us.”
For Janis, quartet playing was the most difficult, and most rewarding, challenge of his career. He read Jung to help himself find a balance between the individual and the group, and always retained his sense of humour.
Touring with Janis was special. Elinor remembers him as the gourmet guru who unfailingly led them to the best restaurant in town. Another colleague, Jeremy Williams, says: “I always remember him organising an oyster champagne lunch in Port Pirie, with elegant tablecloth and all the trimmings. The setting was a motel car park!”.
“I have seldom worked with anyone so caring and generous[…] Playing with him was an inspiration, and great fun too.”
These sentiments are echoed by Janis’ former student and colleague Simon Cobcroft, who now holds the position Janis vacated – principal cellist of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Speaking of Janis the orchestral player, Simon reminisces: “Janis always wanted to make ‘thoughtful’ music”.
“He wanted to bring the qualities of great chamber music making to the orchestra. At its best, this produced fantastic results.”
Orchestral colleagues still talk of the beauty of his sound, which Janis attributes to his teachers.
“Both had wonderful sounds and tone[…]projection in the hall. I am reminded that sound is the only thing we hear.”
Talking of his passion for mentoring, Janis describes his 33 years of tertiary teaching as “a privilege; a joy”. Reading tributes from former students, it is clear that he is an inspirational, unforgettable teacher. Elinor recalls watching him work with a quartet of amateur players.
“He was a master of metaphor,” she says.
“He had the most extraordinary imagination. No matter how far-fetched an image might seem, it unfailingly brought the music alive for them, and changed the way they played it.”
Recalling his time as Janis’ student, Simon talks of his great musical integrity, and his respect for the music.
“I know that his knowledge and insight have shaped my music making profoundly,” Simon remarks.
“I won a number of orchestral jobs as a result of his advice.”
Janis sees retirement as holding more opportunities for music-making and pedagogy. As well as singing, he plans to “continue performing, teaching travelling[…]reinvent myself. Do it differently and better”.
He plans to continue learning and challenging himself with improvisation, jazz and rock. “Learning and participating is exhilarating fun.”
In fact, his whole career has been a cycle of giving and learning, as his performing and pedagogical activities influenced each other. It will be intriguing to watch his boutique retirement unfold.
Whatever the future holds for him, it is certain that his passions will continue to inspire others. This man who loves music has plenty more to give Australia and the world.
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