George Todica and I first worked together when he was asked to accompany me by our Conservatoire for the Kathleen Ferrier competition in Blackburn. I was starting Year 2 and he was commencing the third year of his Piano course. He also accompanied me in the Llangollen Eisteddfod last year and we were finalists in a German lieder competition this year. It’s a privilege to sing with him because he isn’t doing an accompanist degree he trains as a concert pianist and has so little time to spare. A few months ago we auditioned for a series of Grieg master-classes to be held in Bergen, Norway and I’m thrilled to let you know that we were accepted on to the course which I’ll tell you more about soon. It’s taken a while to get this interview together due to rehearsal schedules but finally I persuaded him to put a little time aside to tape this interview so that you can see what a trainee pianist goes through.
Here is a sample of George’s playing 🙂
What age did you first start playing piano?
I started playing at the age of three, my brothers, who were 12 and 14 at the time, taught me at first as they were already in school and knew how to play. They taught me little songs with one finger to start with, I remember I had a big pink book but I don’t remember what it was called, whilst I was in Kindergarden to play for the family. At the age of five I had my first official lesson with Silvia Panzariu in Iasi, Romania where I grew up because my Dad who is also a musician saw potential in me. She was a teacher at the High School the lessons were once every fortnight before I started school. I was always excited for my lessons. At about the age of six my brothers got their first basic computers and to test my love of piano my father offered me the choice of a computer or continued piano lessons and I chose piano.
How often did you practise each week?
I don’t remember exactly initially I enjoyed playing new pieces and I enjoyed learning new songs often for hours at a time; but exercises, playing things over and over again I didn’t particularly enjoy, I think that was probably about one hour each day. Silvia was my teacher for most of my childhood then I went to her daughter Ralucia and she taught me from about eleven for a few years. They were a very musical family. When I was fifteen I changed to her sister’s husband.
When did you start performing on stage or in front of audiences?
I learnt a lot before I got into School so I used to compete each year. I used to enjoy the competitions as I used to win first prize from the age of seven. I used to be more concerned about my walk on and bow than I was about my playing. I had to wear formal little suits, my parents wanted me to look special and stand out and they got me a burgundy jacket and I used to look at all the black jackets and think ooh no one else is wearing a burgundy jacket. I used to sing a lot when I was young and in a choir as a bass when I was older but I was really drawn to the piano and as we had a piano in the house it was very accessible so I concentrated on that.
What other subjects did you study at school in Romania?
Our system makes us do compulsory subjects until very late; Romanian literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, in final exams you can choose between History, Geography, Philosophy and Economics, I chose History which I enjoyed. Music was outside of choices.
When did you come to study in Scotland?
In Year 10 in Romania I won a scholarship at the Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh where I spent a very enjoyable year, I studied in S6 ( advanced highers ) studying classical History, Philosophy and Music and passed my examinations. When I finished that year I went directly to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Was it difficult to leave home and move to the UK?
I had been sort of prepared for it because I was travelling to outside competitions and concerts being organised by my piano teacher Iulian Trofin, I would travel two hours to his class on the bus. I met him when I was ten and I studied with him until I came to Glasgow. From eight, I always walked half an hour to school alone. It was very difficult at first even though I spoke English quite well, I studied it in my last four years of school. I learnt English from cartoons and things and speaking to my friends to practise whilst we played computer games I just picked it up from this. It was strange not coming home at the end of each day, but they were very nice, kind and supportive to me in Edinburgh and I was allowed to phone home so it was mixed with lots of excitement.
Absolute 1st Prize At The International Competition “Citta di Cesenatico”, ItalyWhat are your proudest achievements?
Winning the scholarship to Edinburgh definitely it absolutely changed my life, if I hadn’t got that I wouldn’t have thought to apply to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I wouldn’t have had the funds to move to another Country either. I was offered a full scholarship for Edinburgh including flights. I won my first international competition when I was 12, I went to Italy with Mr Trofin and I won first prize in my category it was a big prize for me at the time.
What’s a typical training schedule like for you?
I have been living in Scotland through scholarships during the past four years and I never had to worry about working in a bar or shop thanks to this, so that I could focus on learning piano every single moment, seven days per week. I usually strive to do an average of at least six hours piano practise per day excluding improv sessions, stretch breaks, research. I usually get up each day around 7am, I like early mornings waking up with the sun to relax, eat and check my e-mails and I usually get to school by 9am – at least three hours dedicated practise in a practise room before lunch around 1pm because mornings are most productive for me, then I’ll break off and do other work, then go back for an hour and a half solid practise, then have dinner around 5pm, then I’m usually back in school practising from 6pm to 9pm other than on a Sunday when they shut earlier.
What is coming up next for you?
I have two competitions in April and May in Sussex and Portugal. I have a concert in Edinburgh on the 6th April at St Giles Cathedral at lunch time Mozart, Ravel, and Enescu. Then of course I’m moving on to a master’s course I have accepted my offer of a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland because I’ve really enjoyed my four years here and got into the atmosphere of the Conservatoire. I was also offered places at RAM and RCM but I felt that the transition process would just take up valuable time. I have a new piano teacher Norman Beedie and I feel I can continue to learn a lot from him and make better progress here. I have a partial scholarship for masters and I am in the process of applying to trusts in the hope that people will help me to stay here.
What are your long term aims ?
I believe I have a musical voice and the potential to bring something new to music to teach people to enjoy pure music, just the actual syrup and honey that comes out of classical music and not just consider it a type of genre people like or don’t like. I want to promote this music to help for its own benefit not just make myself a career, to share the joy and light that it brought into my life since I was really young and I like sharing that and helping people to see what I see.
You can listen to George’s music on his new You Tube channel or Google+ or Facebook .
George also provided the beautiful accompaniment on the Aaron Copland American folk songs that I shared with you all earlier this year and on my album Canzoni D’Amore.
Great interview with another impressive talent!
Thanks Dan glad you enjoyed reading my post.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How nice to meet such an inspirational gentleman! Long may he continue to allow his light to shine!
I hope so too Annette.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte is a great interview. I understand why your duo was selected for the masterclass in Norway. You have both an approach to music that passes through work. And you share your pation through sharing of light and love “universal” that carries the music. Best wishes to you both!
And thank you for sharing!
Merci beaucoup Pascal 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such dedication is amazing and to do it abroad too. I hope each of you reaches the heights to which you aspire. You deserve it. Good interview.
I thought I worked hard Andrew until I saw lots of the musicians up in Glasgow putting the hours into their skill.
Best wishes
Charlotte
An excellent interview.
I hope when you go to Bergen the masterclass might include the song Våren,
and then we can hear you sing it with George at the piano.
We’re very excited about the opportunity to study at the workshop, if they will allow me to share any songs I will. 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good questions that you asked him. It is interesting that he choosed piano over computer.
Yes my brother would have chosen computer for sure but then Tom is now an expert at Fifa15. 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great pianist. I am a bit of a sucker for Glenn Gould and his humming way with JS Bach.
I found this brilliant blog post about Glenn Gould by Robert Krulwich http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2014/09/04/345576795/glenn-gould-in-rapture I’ll be sure to pass it along to George.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, Wonderful interview,you are such talented young people,who both work so hard.
Good luck to you both in everything you do, you deserve all the success in the world.
Very inspirational interview George, good luck for the competitions.xx
Thank you, I always remember reading Peter Ciobanu’s post about competitions that they can often be like roulette and similar to winning a lottery prize you’ve just got to play for a win whilst being true to the music and yourself and not to try to second guess what the judges might be looking for.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A very good interview with such a hard-working and talented pianist. I wish you both all the best for your trip to Norway.
Thanks Clare glad you enjoyed the interview I love talking to other artists about their passion, I had a workout this week with a ballerina friend Emma from New Zealand and persuaded her to let me record her story.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I look forward to that. I hope you got my thank-you message I added to your former post. Best wishes, Clare x
Wow..you guys make an awesome combo! 🙂
I’m really in awe of skilled pianists, it is so difficult to do what they do and practise the length of time they do, I start getting stir crazy on the piano seat. It’s so much easier for a singer if your pianist knows the piece, the tempo, rhythms and ornamentation you use.
Best wishes Eric hope you’re fully recovered,
Charlotte
Thanks for this interview – always interesting to hear how and when people get started on their life’s passion. Some so much earlier than others!
I love discovering the start of the passion too; finding out what it takes to be so good. Learning from everyone from all the different disciplines rather than just staying within your own.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have been aware of George in some of your recordings. No wonder he sounds so good. I wish him the very best of luck in his career and will look out for him in concerts.
George does concerts in London and we may have a concert booking together in your neck of the woods in 2016 I’ll let you know.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You have presented everything so impressively Charlotte Dear!Great interview,he is so young and talented,it must be a real pleasure to cooperate with him!I’m writing this comment while listening to his piano playing … Wish you both every success! Doda 🙂
Thank you Doda, he’s had a concert in Edinburgh today so I hope that went well. I’m enjoying some home time for the Easter weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
An interesting interview, Charlotte! Both of you seem a great duo… 🙂 Wishing you a happy Easter and a wonderful week 🙂
Thanks Iris I hope you’ve had a happy Easter weekend too. Just enjoying the last of the sunshine.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow… this guy puts my playing to shame. How cool that you’ve got such a talented and passionate pianist as your accompanist. Hope you continue to have fun working together. And Happy Easter! 🙂
I did consider having some piano lessons off him until I realised it would be a bit like asking Lewis Hamilton to teach me to pass a driving test lol 😄best wishes
Charlotte
This is fantastic…I will listen to this video a few times, just love it ~ and what is more impressive is your interviewing skills & questions. The talents you have my lady ~ impresses me to no end. Cheers to a great Easter Sunday for you.
Thanks Randall I meet the most amazing people and I learn something new from everyone. My training this year is technique based so I’m stretching my writing practise out, I’m pleased your enjoying them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Isn’t that the key (and the best) learning some new from everyone. 🙂 Cheers
Great interview and such a talented young man… Admirable, indeed. :star:
Thanks for sharing, dear Charlotte! All my best wishes and happy Easter to you and yours, Aquileana 😀
Hi Aquileana, my Mums just dragged us all out to Delamere Forest for a walk to get us away from revising and essays, so I’m just having a cool down and catch up with my blog friends. Thanks for reading.
Best wishes
Charlotte
halloo ma’am i went make your friend .did u like ??? But i ‘m indian &bilong a somal city.
thunk you
Thank you for visiting and leaving your message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Informative and interesting. You’re a good interviewer. I’ve enjoyed knowing about Goerge Todica’s musical journey since my son used to play the piano starting at 4 and I’d accompanied him in his musical training all the way to ARCT performance at 15.
Thanks Arti, I tape record the interview so it’s more like a natural conversation, then type it up later. Do you still enjoy playing now? Has your Son continued? I really must practise more, in fact I’m inspired to go and do an hour now.
Best wishes
Charlotte
When I said ‘accompanied’ I meant driving him to lessons, master classes, and listened to his practices and performances… not actual playing the piano to accompany. 🙂 Anyway, he is an articling law student now so no time for serious playing, but still plays the piano (and guitar) at church worship. So that’s good that all these years’ training had not gone to waste. You keep up your good work. I can see a wonderful future ahead of you!
😄 I see, that’s such an important role the organiser and free chauffeur and appreciative audience all in one I should have realised. I’m so happy he makes time to still play along with his career training. Several of my brothers friends are lawyers and I know what hard work that is. Music training never goes to waste the skills you learn cross over in ways you don’t imagine at the time. Thank you for your confidence in me 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
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Beautiful – he makes it look so effortless. I didn’t have piano lessons until I was 10 and I often wish I’d started earlier – I’ve loved to play ever since I can remember, although I do get cross with myself when I play wrong notes!
Excellent interview 🙂
Hi Annabelle, I agree with you. I started piano just half an hour per week, and I couldn’t read music then, around the same age as you. I didn’t practise anything like enough and I just dream I could wake up and play beautifully.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You have a talent
Shared this w/ my drummer boy, soon eight. We just got back from his drum lesson.
I thinks its just fabulous that you encourage him and allow him to grow up with music in his life.
Best wishes
Charlotte