There’s something surreal about watching child prodigies perform on stage. There’s that composure for one thing, and the complete lack of awareness, seemingly, of the audience. Then there’s the rapture, the reverie — when the musician is in the zone. To watch people who have been playing for more than 15 years over a litter of stages when they are only in their early 20s is even more unnerving; there’s no hesitation in dispensing the most marvellous of tunes in the most effortless of ways.
This week, the Wunderkinder event, organised by Dubai Concert Committee as part of the World Classical Music Series, brings two musical 20-year-olds to take the UAE on an auditory journey: violinist Sara Domjanic and pianist Nuron Mukumi.
Ahead of their performances on November 24, the young talents spoke to Gulf News tabloid! in an email interview about their hopes for Dubai, music and their simple cure for jet lag.
Sarah Domjanic, who won her first competition at five, made her debut at the Philharmonic Hall at age 13. She has since performed at the Tonhalle Zürich, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Philharmonie im Gasteig Munich, Centre Culturel in Paris, and the Vishnevskaya Opera House in Moscow.
What can Dubai expect from your show?
Nice music and an adventure no one forgets [hopefully].
Do you ever get nervous before a performance?
It depends. Mostly I’m so much looking forward to the performance that I forget to be nervous and I just want to have fun on stage and enjoy the music.
What’s your most favourite piece of music?
That’s hard to say. There is not a certain piece I love the most. I love, for example, Strauss, Brahms for their romantic side in the music. But honestly it’s really hard to tell.
Of all the countries you’ve played in, which do you like the most and why?
Last year in December I played in Hong Kong and it was a fantastic experience. It’s such a different culture, the audience and everyone is so nice. I would love to go back once again.
You travel a lot for performances — what’s your cure for jet lag?
Hmmm. maybe just sleeping when I’m tired, although it could be all the time.
What are you looking forward to doing in Dubai?
Of course I’m looking forward to the concert with the amazing pianist Nuron Mukumi. Also [I am looking forward to] exploring the city.
What’s next for you?
In three weeks I’m going to play in Novosibirsk, then in February I’m Artist in Residence in Bad Ragaz/Switzerland, in March I have concerts in Liechtenstein, a tour in the USA and in St. Petersburg.
Nuron Mukumi is also no stranger to the adoring gaze of fans. He may have started to play the piano a year later than Domjanic’s friendship with the violin began, but it is by no means any less impressive. He took home the top prize at the International Russian Music Piano Competition in California at the tender age of seven and at eight he conducted the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan — he conducted the D-Minor piano concerto by W.A. Mozart —- and performed a solo piano part.
What can Dubai expect from your show?
A crazy cocktail of Uzbek-German and Croatian [Liechtenstein] interpretation of classical music!
Do you ever get nervous before a performance?
No, but if we do get nervous then it’s important to be able to control it. The most important thing is to have fun on stage and enjoy the music.
What’s your most favourite piece of music?
Everything we play is our favourite, because only then we can bring the best out of it.
Of all the countries you’ve played in, which do you like the most and why?
Always look forward to play in other countries, you collect great experiences. But to play in our hometowns is something very special, as we already know our public, sometimes you see your friends and relatives. [It is] an indescribable feeling.
What’s your cure for jet lag?
No idea, really. Maybe sleep when we’re tired.
What are you looking forward to doing in Dubai?
Everything! The sea, the desert, the concert, architecture and food culture. And camels.
What’s next for you?
Concerts, Dubai, in a few weeks in London! My first CD recording in January, it will be published around May.
Don’t miss it!
Tickets to see the Wunderkinder concert, at the One and Only Royal Mirage, on November 24 start at Dh250.
