Mitsuko Uchida is in Cleveland to play and conduct two Mozart concertos with the Orchestra. She gave an open rehearsal on Thursday morning, and then participated in an open discussion with students afterwards.
The first question was about her career progression. She told us that she performed starting from the age of 14, but only very little, as her parents were overprotective and didn't believe she would be a musician. She got with management at the age of 23 or 24, but said it didn't work out, and she played in a few competitions (she didn't specify which, or if she won any prizes. Anybody know?) and finally, made a change of management and has been with that person or organization ever since.
Interestingly, she said her maximum number of concerts a year is 50, and that includes orchestra, solo and chamber concerts. She claimed she is "not that talented," and has to work much harder than other people.
At the age of 27, she finally became "comfortable" with her piano sound ("It's never too late") and presumably around that time her career really took off. She encouraged everyone to dispense with too technical thinking, not exactly a new thought I know but she expresses everything with originality and is very inspirational. She shared with us her love of music from Bach to Mozart to Schoenberg to Messiaen!
Walter Ramsey
Topic: Mitsuko Uchida in Cleveland