Yuri Slesarev played an all-Chopin recital which included Etudes, Op. 10, Op. 25 and Fantasy in F-sharp Minor, Op 44, to an enthusiastic audience at Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Critical reviews have stated that his playing is "filled with lyrical romanticism, very distinctive, with a deep understanding of the composer's intent..."

The following day he conducted a master class with five eager students. Several played Chopin. He told them to always find the melodic line no matter how many notes and how intricate the patterns. Robert Schumann spoke on the same topic in these words: "Chopin always has structure; through the strange forms of his music there always runs the red thread of a melody."

Slesarev asked one student to identify the melody in his piece and play it without accompaniement. He then discussed the importance of the left hand. He had the student play the left hand alone, without music and with eyes shut. This identified the student's weakness in the left hand.

Another student played a piece with fast runs. Slesarev stopped the student midstream and asked if he played scales and arpeggios every day. The young man shyly said "no" and Slesarev said scales and arpeggios are absolutely necessary at least a half-hour per day.

I spoke with Slesarev after the master class.

Q.  What is the most important first step in learning a new piece?

A.  Figure out what you want to say. Find something within yourself that you want to express through the music.

Q.  You told one student that she played with a musical sense. How can you tell the difference between the artist and the technical expert?

A.  It is like having a conversation. The artist tells and the listener understands.

Q.  Chopin is known as the "poet of the piano". How do you reach a deep understanding of Chopin's intent?

A.  I have been playing Chopin for 45 years and many others play Chopin. It is difficult to determine who comes closest to expressing Chopin's pianistic intent. Maybe the answer is in the heart of the listener.

Q.  In Russia, how do amateurs develop their talent?

A.  Moscow University offers piano classes for amateurs. In the past, a competition was held for amateurs every April. Doctors, lawyers, scientists and others would compete, playing Rachmaninoff concertos and works by Schoenberg and other composers. I was on the jury and enjoyed the event. There was always a fantastic banquet afterward that everyone looked forward to.

Yuri Slesarev is Dean of the Piano Dept. of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. At the age of twenty-two he became the Gold Medal Winner of the All Union Competition of the USSR. In 1972 he was awarded the Grand Prize at the Montevideo International Piano Competition in Uruguay. He won awards as a Laureate of the Leeds International Piano Competition in England and the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Russia.

Maestro Slesarev made his United States debut in San Francisco in 1997 and a return engagement was arranged for the following year. His performances throughout Europe, South America and all the Republics of the former USSR have been critically acclaimed.

Learning from the knowledge and experience of seasoned professionals like Yuri Slesarev is one of the many benefits Piano Forte News has to offer. The Professional Perspective column offers insights from experienced professionals that will guide the amateur on his or her journey toward mastery.

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