Reed Tetzloff

Les invités de votre soirée idéale ?

Mon grand-père, qui est décédé quand j'avais seulement 10 ans. À part lui, j'aimerais juste inviter des amis et de la famille que j'apprécie.

Votre plat préféré ?

Il y en a trop... Tout ce que ma maman cuisine.

Votre devise ?

Ce n'est pas vraiment une devise, mais j'essaie de toujours me rappeler que notre vie ne nous concerne pas seulement nous-mêmes, mais quelque chose de plus grand. Je pense que pour être heureux, il ne faut pas être centré sur soi-même.

Votre plus grande source d'inspiration ?

More than specific people, I am most inspired by learning and experiencing the different aspects of life and human nature. Great art which explores these questions is a never-ending inspiration. I feel that the complexity, and ultimately, the beauty of life is something we must experience through music. A great performance of a masterpiece of music connects with the deepest, not-quite-defined part of the humanity which we all share. Chasing after that experience in my life is the most inspiring thing I can imagine. My amazing parents and family have shaped my beliefs and worldview, and have taught me the way to appreciate beauty and to be grateful for every blessing.

Le conseil que vous donneriez à votre enfant si vous aviez 80 ans ?

I would tell them never to forget how lucky they are to be alive and to be human, no matter what happens to them. This is because they will always be loved and be able to love others.

Ce que vous aimeriez que les gens disent de vous ?

I want to be known as a musician who reaches his audience, entertaining them with a positive stage presence and sense of humor, and also challenging them and making them think. Most of all I want to be seen as a down-to-earth person who with engages people on a human level.

Votre truc pour surmonter le trac ou votre rituel avant de monter sur scène ?

There is no easy answer, other than constantly practicing the calm, concentrated state of mind which is needed to produce a great performance. By filling the mind entirely with musical matters, there isn't any room for fear. A verse from the Bible, in St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, is an incredibly simple yet powerful encouragement: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) I like to play a Bach Chorale or a hymn in the warm-up room right before going on stage, to prepare myself to connect to music in the highest, most transcendent way.

Quand vous jouez... pour qui jouez-vous ?

The composer. As a performer, I have the incredible mission of being the representative of the composers who are bigger and greater than all of us, and the incredible task of "keeping them alive" falls to me as the performer. In the inevitable high-pressure atmosphere of many concerts and competitions, I aim to tune everything out, feel that the composer is sitting next to me, and play only for them.

Le métier que vous n'auriez pas aimé exercer ?

Anything in a cubicle.

La blague (de musiciens) que vous aimeriez partager avec nous ?

Yes, but I’m afraid a violist might be reading this!

La chanson (pas classique) que vous écoutez en boucle sur votre smartphone ?

I don't listen to much non-classical music.

Les trois choses que vous apporteriez sur une île déserte ?

Shipwrecked-on-desert-island stories are so 17th-18th century. Impossible to answer anyway.

Le son / bruit que vous préférez ? Et celui que vous ne supportez pas ?

The most annoying is definitely my alarm

L'endroit où vous voudriez vivre ?

I'm lucky enough to be able to answer this by naming the city where I actually live: New York.

La première chose à laquelle vous pensez lorsqu'on vous dit « Tchaïkovski » ?

Snow, for some reason, much of his music makes me think of winter. After the immediate mental image of a snowfall, I just think about the incredibly lyrical, moving, honest, and heartfelt music he gave us.

La première chose à laquelle vous pensez lorsqu'on vous dit « Concours » ?

A competition like this offers, most importantly, exposure and the chance to be heard (around the world, thanks to medici.tv!). I also think of the enormous honor it is to be a part of the amazing history of the Tchaikovsky Competition, and to perform on the stage where artists like Van Cliburn, Ashkenazy, Sokolov, and countless others made their mark.