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From Mosow to Milan. What a change! Two fantastic cities but two
different worlds. In Moscow it was -15 degrees Celsius and snowing,
in Milan it's +10 and raining…
The first days in a new city are always the busiest days. I
visit the hall to check the seating for the members of the jury,
the jury room, and the practice rooms for the candidates, and to
review the schedule, and general rules of auditions with the
hosts.
The rules are easy: the same conditions for every candidate. For
example, the first candidate of the night could easily ask to play
in the concert hall instead of the practice room. We cannot allow
it. If so, the first candidate would have a "feel" for the piano,
the hall, where the jury sits, etc., and the others would not.
This hall in Milan is much larger than the halls we were in
previously. When I asked one of the jury members their thoughts on
this, they said: "The quality of a good pianist is to listen to
themself and to react accordingly. In seconds, they should react to
the piano, the acoustics, the hall." Food for thought.
-- Jacques
Travel tips: Because I always arrive at the
venue an hour before the jury, I walk the city a lot. Walking Milan
is quite fantastic. Every 20 feet you have either a bar, a coffee ,
a shoe shop, or a men's clothing store… I think I am going
shopping, once again…
Food of the day: Milan is well recognized for
its risotto and osso bucco. Risotto: check. Osso bucco: to
come… I found a little wine bar near the hotel. I was looking
for one bottle; a glass of wine at the end of the day is always a
good idea. I came back with three bottles… viva Italia!
Quote of the day: "If children are not
introduced to music at an early age, I believe something
fundamental is actually being taken from them." -- Luciano
Pavarotti
Blanca Uribe in front of Duomo di Milano
The jury members take their seats at Auditorium di Milano -
Fondazione Cariplo.
The stage is set!
Jacques Marquis at La Scala
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