Friday, 4/11/97
Playing out a life-long dream
Pianist Jeffrey Swann discusses his role in upcoming concert
By Amanda Miller
Daily Bruin Contributor
Pianist Jeffrey Swann’s passion for classical music manifests
the life and dynamism of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, a
five-person ensemble to perform this Saturday at Schoenberg
Hall.
Swann admits that sometimes people feel intimidated by the
supposed rigidity and formality of classical music.
"I definitely think classical music is thought of as being
overly cerebral and elitist, because it seems so formalized," Swann
comments. "You see people wearing ridiculous coattails, and besides
the way we dress, the way the hall looks, the way concerts are
organized, and the pieces that we play are all very traditional. I
think people get turned off."
However, Swann believes classical music does not have to cater
to an elite social group and it can be enjoyed by people from all
spheres of life. Appreciation of classical music, according to
Swann, does, however, "require some commitment on the part of the
audience. It is not passive entertainment."
"It’s just like great literature. You can’t read a great book in
the same passive way you would read a dime- store novel or watch a
television show. It requires a commitment," Swann explains.
The commitment Swann speaks of does not necessitate hours of
study.
"But," Swann says, "classical music must be approached with a
desire to listen with all of one’s heart, soul, and attention. Not
everybody wants to do that. Only in that way is classical music
elitist."
The stereotypes surrounding classical music concern Swann. They
may contribute to an austere aura which makes classical music seem
inaccessible to younger audiences.
Attempting to move beyond such impersonal assumptions, Swann
talks directly to his audience.
"I may not have anything especially important to say," he says,
"but I think people respond to the discovery that we are real
people up there."
At 3 years old, Swann began playing the piano after listening to
his older brother and sister receive lessons from their mother.
With time, he learned the importance of discipline and
practice.
"Most of classical music is practicing, which you really have to
do by yourself," Swann comments. "It takes long, long hours with
nobody there, just me.
"I wasn’t making money doing it. No one was holding a whip over
my head. I just had the inner drive and ambition to play."
Becoming a musician was the entire aim of Swann’s life – he
never once saw himself doing anything other than play the
piano.
The other chamber orchestra members approach music with similar
dedication. "Every one in this group has been playing his or her
instrument from the age of 3 or 4," Swann says.
The ensemble is composed of an array of musical talents. Ida
Levin and Sheryl Staples both play the violin, Scott St. John plays
the viola, Andres Diaz the cello, and Swann the piano. Consisting
of only five musicians, the chamber orchestra is radically smaller
than a full orchestra. But the effects that are produced are just
as moving.
Usually, the musicians perform as soloists, so working with
other musicians is "very satisfying and very different," Swann
says.
All five musicians knew each other previously but never before
performed as a united group. Getting together to travel and perform
offered a social environment in which the members learned from each
other as well as challenged personal approaches.
In contrast to an orchestra, where each musician is under the
direction of the conductor, "we are all equals in chamber music. We
all tell each other what we think in a sort of democratic process
which is very enriching," Swann explains. This enrichment broadens
the fulfillment music provides for Swann and the other dedicated
musicians.
"For each serious artist that I know, our music represents the
very deepest level of who we are. It isn’t something you can
translate into a one-to-one correspondence, like, ‘I am happy’ or
‘I am sad.’ It goes much deeper than that," Swann expresses, as he
touches upon the music’s profound influence on his life.
"Classical music bears the whole richness of the human
condition," Swann continues.
"The thing that makes it unique among the arts, say, compared to
painting, is that classical music is like a composer’s dream,"
Swann says. "This dream only comes to life when we performers bring
it to life in concert."
Music is inseparable from Swann’s life. "I think for all of us,
who have dedicated our lives to it, we think it is the most
important thing in the world," Swann asserts.
"We put everything we have into our music. We want to express
that passion in the music we play. When I am in concert, if just
one person in the audience is moved, transformed, or changed in any
way, the concert has been a great success."
Swann has dedicated his life to sharing the personal excitement
which classical music inspires. Though he cherishes classical
traditions, he realizes that the realm of classical music must
evolve in order to attract younger audiences.
"I would like to hope that change will occur within the music
industry. But much of the formality is entrenched in the
system."
Change, he feels, would require consideration of public
education on an institutional level.
"I think having a government that considers the arts is
important," Swann says. "Public schooling should not just focus on
sports and making lots of money. They should care not just for our
pocketbooks and for our bodies, but for our souls."
Swann hopes that the ensemble music will touch souls. "All any
of us really want is for people to come and listen with open ears
and open hearts. I am convinced that if they do, they’ll be excited
and moved. But if they come and feel ill at ease and turned off, I
think they’ll be very quickly bored."
MUSIC: The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival is at 8 p.m. on
Saturday, April 12 at Schoenberg Hall. Tickets: $25, $9 UCLA
students. Center stage lecture at 7 p.m. with Ian Krouse, faculty,
UCLA Department of Music. For more information, call 825-2101.