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Music heals with a touch, maestro Myron Romanul says
The pianist-conductor is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Grammy for Best Classical Chamber Music Performance as pianist on Scott Joplin’s “The Red Back Book” with the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble in 1973.
Although the German-based American musician has not had much of a chance to get to know Turkish music in his career, Romanul says his brief stay in Mersin last week helped him discover a lot about Turkey’s music and culture. So much so that the maestro often underlined how impressed he was with Biret’s solo performance during last week’s gala concert, the amount of interest the concert received from festival-goers and the diversity in Turkish music.
Speaking during an interview following the opening gala, Romanul also pointed out another fact -- about the way classical music is treated around the world or, to put it more precisely, the fact that classical music has fewer “fans” than any other genre. “The problem with classical music is a worldwide problem,” Romanul says. “In the United States and in Germany, when the budget of a certain school has to be cut, the first thing that is gotten rid of is usually art classes or programs. However, these [classes] are very important for the students’ intellectual [development]. We need to encourage [interest in] classical music. I remember there used to be a popular pub in Boston that was famed for its yearly program which featured performances in a highly diverse range of genres. For instance, pop-rock renditions of The Beatles hits or Beethoven’s Fifth would be performed there, and the pub’s younger patrons used to love that. Then they would go find the original piece and listen to them. This proves that, alongside education, the presentation [of classical works] is also important in popularizing classical music.”
Asked whether music festivals are effective in gaining classical music new audiences, Romanul says he is optimistic about that. “Music, rich in diversity, affects people and creates a certain curiosity. For instance, melodies [from varied genres or styles] in classical music can pull in more listeners,” he explains.
Noting that music does indeed have a “universal language,” Romanul adds: “There’s a particularly rich musical culture in Turkey, which has its roots in previous civilizations. The sounds that make up music come together and they, in turn, help people come together, too. Music improves with the harmony of varied sounds. This is important for the history of music, but one cannot point a finger at it just by listening to that particular music. Music only comes to you, touches you and heals,” Romanul says.
The 56-year-old conductor was also impressed with the performance of the concertgoers in Mersin. “The audience had this certain rhythm; they really listened to the music and sensed it as much as the musicians performing onstage. That is a wonderful feeling.”
The Ninth Mersin International Music Festival continues until June 3. For the full program, visit the festival’s website at www.merfest.org.tr.
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