BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
What makes a musician professional?
For Andrey Gugnin, the answer isn’t so straight-forward.
“Is it the fact that you have finished studying at a certain musical institute, and been awarded an official diploma?” he proposes.
After all, this pianist has himself graduated from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory in 2010, and since 2016 has studied at the International Piano Academy Lake Como. But when identifying as a professional, he still doesn’t think academic achievements are all that it takes.
“I believe what matters more is your passion for music, your consistent hard work, and continuous musical development and self-development which should never stop throughout your whole life,” he says.
“And I’m sure all of these qualities are inherent to the members of the Australian Youth Orchestra.”
Andrey will perform with members of the AYO in its July season. The special guest will present Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 under the baton of Courtney Lewis – and has a lot to share with those who will perform alongside him.
“Being a little older than the AYO musicians, I might simply have wider experience in performing, competing, and overcoming certain musical difficulties. So I hope that sharing my thoughts and ideas will be useful to them as they progress in their careers.”
It’s an area about which Andrey is passionate. The young pianist has achieved a string of prizes early in his career (recently taking out the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition), but he knows first-hand how hard it is to break into the music industry. In particular, the challenges in obtaining opportunities to perform in large-scale classical music events across Australia.
Andrey observes: “We might not get as many chances to play on bigger stages, to be heard by wider audiences – yet giving concerts is what we are all aiming for”.
“That’s why it is so important for young musicians to be given these types of opportunities to perform at great venues, and experience what they may encounter in a career as a professional musician.”
In his upcoming concert, Andrey looks forward to presenting the Tchaikovsky concerto among a program of Britten (Sinfonia da requiem) and Rachmaninov (Symphonic Dances). Straight-up, Andrey tells us “I love this program”.
“Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed – an absolute eternal masterpiece,” he says.
“On the one hand, it is musically very attractive and pleasant to listen to; and on the other, challenging and tricky to play.
“It’s often the case that the most widely played compositions incur the most mistakes and problems. It will be very useful to work on Tchaikovsky, to try and avoid those mistakes, and yet find our own fresh approach on such a well-known piece.
“It’s not an easy task, but that’s what makes it even more exciting!”
For emerging artists who may brave a solo career or work hard to score a place in a professional orchestra, Andrey offers some solid advice.
“Have a genuine passion for music, and work hard – but also place equal importance on developing in other fields; in other arts, in literature, history, sciences,” he explains.
“Experience life in all its unspeakable diversity. Be curious, explore nature and people, and learn other cultures. Somehow, what we are reflects in the music that we play.”
See Andrey Gugnin perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Courtney Lewis, in the AYO July Season events: Sydney Town Hall, July 14 and Brisbane’s QPAC, July 16.
Image supplied. Credit: Anna Shlykova.
