Playing the right notes

Ask him what his ambition is and Waldermar Malicki is quick to reply, "I want to be a very good musician." In an interview with Gulf News, Malicki mentioned that every concert is a memorable moment for him. "I like music and playing for my audience. Perhaps the concert for the Polish and American Presidents in 2001 was something special." He performed earlier this month in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi. This is Waldemar Malicki's third visit to Dubai.

Malicki hails from a family of musicians and has been influenced by all great pianists. He says, "Both jazz and classical pianists have been my inspiration. However, I like different kinds of music and many ideas come from those areas." He started playing at a concert when he was eight years old and when he was 16 he began to improvise and compose. Having graduated from the Secondary School of Music in Lublin, Malicki studied at the Gdansk Academy of Music.

He performed at the 16th Festival of Polish Piano Music in Slupsk, and in 1980 he was an accompanist at the Maria Callas International Vocal Competition in Milan. An excellent accompanist, Malicki has rendered concerts with many Polish philharmonic orchestras, played with eminent Polish singers, violinists and chamber music ensembles.

Dubai and the Emirates has recently seen a surge of international artists. Malicki feels, it is because the Emirates is becoming a more and more important place in the world. He says, "Look at your architecture, way of life and great audience for music."

About his audience Malicki says, "You will find it strange but for me all audiences are different and absolutely similar at the same time. I would like all the people coming to the concert to feel good. I know that the Dubai audience likes humour and virtuosity and I do put it into my concert. I like concerts in places where people really need music and wait for an artist they know. Dubai is one of those places."

One of the few artists who is known to share a unique rapport with his audience, Malicki says, "I observe people and life with all the rules, problems and joy and I try to transpose my observation into the language of music and give it the public. During the concert I am absolutely sincere with my audience."

Apart from his passion for the piano, Malicki is an avid car collector. He says, "I collect all old timers. If you know somebody who doesn't need his car anymore, tell him, I can take it with me even if it's a Rolls or Cadillac."