focusCan you tell me about your routine? How do you manage to maintain such a demanding solo career in addition to holding the position of principal harpist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and teaching in both Prague and Brussels?
I was always educated to have self-discipline and not to loose a minute of my day. Of course I am very lucky to have done much of the work in the past, when I could practice 10-12 hours a day on the harp. That foundation-work is my big support these days, when I am very busy with many other duties and don't always have time to practice as much as I used to. But everything I am doing these days makes me happy and fulfils my life. Everything brings me various enjoyments. Solo concerts, playing in the orchestra, teaching and of course my family, all of that I am trying to manage to combine. As long as you have support from the people around you, all of this work is possible.
Tell me about the program we are going to hear in your concert here in Tel-Aviv.
I have chosen compositions that mean a lot to me from.the different time periods. I will start with the Lute Suite by J.S.Bach, then the Czech Sonata of the classic style by Franz Anton Rössler-Rosetti, followed by another Czech composition by Antonín Dvořák – the American Suite, not originally written for the harp, but I will play the piano part on my instrument. To introduce the harp also in virtuosity, I have included in the program the Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo by English harpist of the romantic period Elias Parish Alvars, and the end of the concert will belong to a piece that is very personal to me – The Moldau by Bedřich Smetana.It is a composition which I was listening to throughout my whole childhood. My mother performed it on the harp in all her concerts, and I listened with such respect. The Moldau is truly a national piece for the Czech, but surely, it also belongs strongly to Israeli culture, as the theme is reminiscent of the Israeli National Anthem.
Do you have a dream that you have not yet fulfilled?
I am very thankful for everything that my life has brought me already. Almost all my dreams came true, and even if there are still some dreams left, I am aware of all the treasures I have already experienced. My dreams I always prefer to keep for myself, and I believe they usually come true.
My life dream in my profession is to make the harp one of the most important solo instruments, comparable to all others. I am very happy that the harp has truly changed its position already, thanks to all of us – the solo harpists – who are working to make that same dream come true.