Meet Irina Morozova

Our final concert scheduled for 2013 will be performed by the Australia Ensemble.

The Australia Ensemble was formed in 1980 and is resident at the University of New South Wales. Its core members are all virtuoso musicians, who are in high demand. Other leading musicians are frequently invited to join the group for concerts in their annual series in the Clancy Auditorium at UNSW.
 
Our Vice President Tony Recsei recently had the privilege of talking to Irina Morozova, after her return from concerts in New Zealand.  She plays the viola and now is the only foundation member of the Ensemble.

 

                                   Irina Morozova
 
(Sydney Mozart Society) The Australia Ensemble has become the leading chamber music ensemble in the country.  How did you become involved?
 
(Irina Morozova)  I was in the right place at the right time.  I had been playing chamber music and was principle viola player in the Australian Chamber Orchestra.  The University of New South Wales was amazing – at the time of the formation of the Ensemble it was mainly a technically focussed institution.  We did not expect the University to be its patron for such an extended period of time.  I think they like the fact the Ensemble has done so well.  It has been fabulous for me to be part of the Ensemble.  This year is especially noteworthy.  We have held archival concerts as we are celebrating the participation of our retiring artistic director, Roger Covell who has been with us since the beginning.
 
(SMS) When did you start playing the viola?
 
(IM) I started learning to play the violin at the age of five.  By the age of 15 I was playing chamber music and was leader of the school orchestra.  I was invited to join a string quartet as a viola player.  Picking up a viola I found bottom C.  Something clicked and it felt just right.  It took a bit of time to get used to reading the alto clef  (which is otherwise rarely used).  The viola requires a mode of playing different from the violin, different bowing, different vibrato.
 
(SMS)  Do you still find it necessary to practice a lot?
 
(IM)  Oh yes!  It takes a lot to keep up with the requirements of concerts and tours.  One needs to have the energy to practice sufficiently for these as well as to maintain one’s general proficiency.  All this has to be juggled with the demands of family and the household.
 
(SMS) You have chosen an interesting programme for the concert. How does it relate to you?
 
(IM) The programme is a good representation of what we are – a mixed ensemble.  It is terrific music and should be popular.  The arrangement of Haydn’s London Symphony is a great piece with many toe-tapping melodies.  The wonderful thing for us is playing lovely music with people we love.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on Friday, 18 October 2013 at 11pm