Alena Baeva
Violinist Alena Baeva is regarded as one of the most exciting, versatile, and captivating soloists on today’s international music scene. In recent years, her career as a violinist of the highest caliber has grown at an extraordinary pace. In the 73rd season of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, Baeva has taken on the role of the orchestra’s resident soloist and will perform in Ostrava three times.

You are returning to Ostrava, this time as the JFO’s resident soloist. What does this return mean to you?

I am very happy to be able to play in Ostrava again—to make music with these musicians. You have a wonderful orchestra. It was truly remarkable for me to discover such dedication, a striving for the highest quality of playing, and an immense joy in making music together within this ensemble. These are the most important values for me. So the invitation to return to Ostrava as a resident soloist is a great honor. And the fact that we can continue to develop our relationship is very valuable, because in the past it often happened that I would arrive, play one, two, or three concerts, and that would be all. Then I would move on to another orchestra. Yes, that is fascinating too, of course, but to truly go deeper into what we can achieve together only happens when we work together over a longer period of time. I am very much looking forward to that.

Do you remember your first concert with the Janáček Philharmonic?

Yes.

What impression did the orchestra and the audience make on you at that time?

I was truly fascinated. I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t anticipated such a high level of playing or such a knowledgeable and eager audience. That, of course, requires years and years of building a relationship between the orchestra and its audience—carefully considered dramaturgy and genuine attention to every detail. For example, how to create a program that is both educational and entertaining, one that allows listeners to discover all the different dimensions music can offer. It is clear that an enormous amount of work has been done behind the scenes, because the result is truly impressive.

When you play with an orchestra you know well, does it change your approach to interpretation? Does it bring you more freedom, or rather greater responsibility?

It is always a responsibility—of course. But at the same time, it brings greater freedom. It is like speaking with an old, good friend. Talking to some people is very easy and pleasant—we can discuss anything, deep topics as well as very personal matters. But when I speak with an old friend, it is something different. There are so many layers. It is similar with all the works we perform together with the Janáček Philharmonic. They gradually shape our relationship. And for that I am very, very grateful. We have played Béla Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with conductor Dmitry Yurovsky, and then Johannes Brahms with Lionel Bringuier. It was wonderful and remains part of our shared history. And now I very much look forward to returning, building on those experiences, and beginning work on new repertoire.

A new concert hall is being built in Ostrava. In your opinion, what should be its essence in order to create an ideal musical environment?

That is a beautiful question. I think that in Ostrava, the most important thing—the very core—was already present years ago, even before the vision of a new hall. It is the people who create an extraordinary team: those who play in the orchestra and those who attend the concerts. All of this is already highly developed and more than ready to fill the new space and give it new life. And I am so, so excited that I may soon see the result. I have been looking forward to it for several years now.

In previous years, Lukáš Vondráček, Federico Colli and Johannes Moser have performed as resident soloists with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava.