BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Joan DerHovsepian plays associate principal viola with the Houston Symphony Orchestra (a section in which she’s performed for close to two decades), and principal viola with the Peninsula Music Festival in Wisconsin.
So it’s pretty cool that this leader in the field will come to Melbourne’s Mimir Chamber Music Festival to share her knowledge with emerging musicians (can we sign up, too?).
In this series, we explore the TOTAL SUPERSTARS of Mimir (why wouldn’t we be enthusiastic about music education?). It’s an event that’ll bring together international talent with students of University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (who Mimir founder Curt Thompson says “have been preparing for their arrival for weeks”), a whole heap of Melbourne secondary students, and medical-professionals-turned-musicians from Corpus Medicorum.
In this interview, we chat with Joan about the Mimir experience before she works with musos like these:
So, Mimir! Tell us all about your expectations for this year’s festival of [amazing] chamber music.
Mimir is a special time in my year when I meet up with my closest friends and musical soulmates to teach and perform together in fabulous Melbourne. What could be better?!
The educational component of the Mimir festival is unique, and I’m happy to be a part of the extraordinary things happening here for these young artists.
What will you be teaching in your masterclasses?
The students have been busy preparing standard works from the great chamber music repertoire to perform during Mimir’s classes; pieces they’ve chosen with the guidance of their principal teachers here in advance.
One of the most exciting things about a masterclass is that aside from the preparation done by the student, nothing else has been planned. Those of us listening have no idea what issues we’ll be tackling with the students until we hear them in that moment. We could choose to work on technical aspects of the instrument, the musical language of the particular composer, ways to play better together as an ensemble, or anything else that comes to mind. That’s exciting for everyone, including audience members observing; and, admittedly, always a little nerve-wracking for the performer.
We often hear about the way musicians benefit from masterclasses. But what do you learn through the experience?
The thing I love most about the Mimir masterclass is the group teaching dynamic. All the faculty chime in and, somehow, because of our shared backgrounds and simpatico style, there are a few concepts the students can grasp immediately and some they take along to assimilate for later.
Listening to my colleagues teach is the most enlightening for me. I’m continually blown away by them. I feel like I’ve just had a free lesson myself.
What are some of the non-musical things that participants might pick up in the class?
Playing string quartets is sometimes said to be like a marriage of four people. Sounds funny, but working together in a chamber music group is a relationship that needs a lot of care and constant maintenance! The traits needed to make the group a success are far greater than being able to perform your instrument well.
During the course of the festival, the students get to experience that camaraderie but also, they work on how to express themselves verbally in the most helpful way. They need a delicate balance of straightforwardness and, at the same time, diplomacy in rehearsals. It can be the best of times and but equally tricky. These are skills we all need as we go about anything in life.
How does Mimir differ to other chamber music events you’ve been involved in?
There is a commitment from every one of the faculty members; a devotion to the music and for one another, which I have not felt to this degree in other festivals. The students will mention it. I believe it’s palpable for those in the audience at the faculty performances.
What are you most looking forward to as part of Mimir 2018?
This will be my fourth year participating in Mimir, and each visit here brings appreciation for the work being done at MCM with new friendships made. After our work is done, there aren’t many minutes left in the day. But we all love new food experiences, and the level of good food in this town is off the charts. We try to make it to as many of the hot restaurants in Melbourne as we can, and enjoy sampling the fantastic wine from the region.
Any words of encouragement to young or emerging musicians thinking about coming along?
There are huge benefits in observing any of the Mimir events happening this week. If you are a musician interested in learning about any type of ensemble playing, or you want to hear some of the greatest repertoire mankind has composed, please join us.
When I was a student, one of my very favourite things was to observe rehearsals – orchestral or chamber – and attend concerts of accomplished artists when the opportunity arose. This is the way I learnt to develop instincts for musical styles, and began to find my own musical voice on the instrument. The power of listening and observation, at any point in life, is irreplaceable.
I would encourage young musicians to open their ears as wide as possible when given the opportunity. Any of these events associated with Mimir are the ideal setting for music students of all ages to feel inspiration, whether or not they are a playing participant this season. We would love to see you there.
Get your masterclass hat on and rock up to the Mimir Chamber Music Festival this 29 August-2 September.
Don’t forget to check out the full program and book yourself in on the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music website.
Have you read about some of the other Mimir musicians? We’re partnering up with Mimir this year to take you behind the scenes with these musical LEGENDS.
READ NEXT: Our interview with the Mimir emerging artist Jin Tong Long, who will perform viola in the Inctivus Quartet!
Images supplied. Mimir images courtesy of Giulia McGauran/UniMelb.
