Marija Jovovich

Marija Jovovich

Classical music is tearing off its shirt and tie and opening up to a new audience of the young, cool and curious. The purists may not like it ( two weeks ago violinist Nigel Kennedy pulled out of the Classical Brits after the organisers vetoed his choice of music. His reaction was to call them “old farts”) and many balk at the idea of popularising, or ( whisper it ) sexing up the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. But, like it or not, there’s a whole raft of talented, photogenic and inspiring classical musicians – Myleene Klass, Bond, Teatro - who are breathing fresh air into the genre and appealing to a mass market without dumbing down. One such musician is 25-year-old Montenegran pianist Marija Jovivich – she was in the Yugoslavian National Choir from three, began piano aged seven and moved to the UK at 16 to study at the Royal College of Music - who performs her London debut next month. Loma-Ann Bonner caught up with her.

When did you decide to make the piano your  career?
It was not really a conscious decision. One performance lead to another and it just sort of happened.

Who is your favourite composer?
It’s really a fight between Beethoven and Prokofiev but if pushed I would have to go for Beethoven. I think his symphonies are in a way the pinnacle of classic music.

How do you decide which pieces to play for a concert?
Firstly I find a major piece. I have no criteria for choosing this except that it has to be something I really enjoy and want to perform.I then engineer the rest of the program to enhance and fit with the major piece. Sometimes these pieces just come to me but I often spend days trawling through LP’s, library scores and Youtube.

How long is the rehearsal period?
I work best on deadlines. The rehearsal period is as far as the next concert. Other than that I anyway  have to practice every day.

Do you only play classical music? Would you like to collaborate with artists from other musical genres?
I only play music I love, classical or otherwise and I would collaborate if I think it makes the music better. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra would be great to work with, and also  DJ Sasha and Timberland.

Who’s on your iPod at the moment?
Lil Wayne- Lolipop, Timberland, Moby, Young Folks, Madonna’s Hard Candy and  DJ Sasha’s Involver.

Do you agree with Nigel Kennedy  that  classical music is run by a bunch of "old farts."
I would not necesarily agree. However Classical music belongs to everyone and not "a bunch of old farts". If Nigel Kennedy has had such a bad experience perhaps he should try to change it from the inside rather than rejecting it.

What do you think of musicians such as Myleene Klass? Do you get compared to her?
I think Myleene Klass used the ability to play the piano as a springboard for a wider career. I respect the music she makes and the diverse range of things she does however I don’t think there are any similarities between us. For me playing the piano is not just a means to an end but an end in itself.

You divide your time between New York  and London: do you find that the UK taste for classical music is different to the US?
Classical music seems to have a larger and more diverse following in the US. I am not sure if this is because the population is bigger or if there is some kind of  perceived social factor prohibiting larger and more diverse audiences in the UK.
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Is there lots of competition as a classical pianist?
There is competition but I tend not to think about it. Ultimately our popularity depends on our audience.

What are your ambitions for the future?
I think that goals set in stone tend to narrow your vision. I like to take opportunities where I find them and I try very hard to make them.

Are you nervous about your London debut?
I don't get nervous.

Marija's  London debut is at St John's, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HA  on June 4th, where she will play a Russian-based programme - including Prokofiev’s Piano Sonatas no 2 and 3.
We have 50 tickets ( worth £15 each ) to give away.
Please email your name to: feedback@openmagazine.co.uk with " Marija" in the subject line.Closing date is Tuesday 27th May. The 50 names will be chosen at random.

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