KVT – Interview with Andrea Griminelli

He’s on a tour of Southeast Asia and Japan and accepted an invitation to make a second visit to Hanoi (the first was in 2008) because he likes the unique atmosphere of the city, the food, and the friendly vibes.

He’d just returned from giving a master class at the Music Conservatory when we sat down to talk at the Metropole. This is part of his travel itinerary that he really enjoys….meeting local flute talent and passing on his experience. He is excited about a proposed travel scholarship that will allow young Vietnamese flutists to travel to Italy for up to a month to gain invaluable experience with expert teachers at famous music schools.

Griminelli was recognized as future soloist at the age of 10. He was tutored by Jean-Piere Rampal (who is credited with returning the flute to its popularity as a solo classical instrument it had not held since the 18th century) and James Galway, who described Griminelli as the greatest flute player to emerge for many years.

At 25 he started soloing with the late tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and over a number of years performed with him in major concerts in concert halls and in outdoor venues such as Central Park, Red Square, Hyde Park and in the shadow of the Eifel Tower.

One of his favorite performing memories is from the first Central Park concert when, not long before leaving his hotel for the stage, he realized that his black trousers were missing. Luckily James Galway appeared to wish him luck and offered the black pair he was wearing. Thus Griminelli performed in pants several sizes too large.

In 2007 he played at Pavarotti’s funeral mass in Modena and in 2008 at an immense Memorial concert in Petra. Another such concert in Tokyo on this tour makes you want to catch a flight to be there (unfortunately it’s booked out).

Fame and public exposure have led people to associate favorite musical works with Griminelli. For some it’s ‘The Carmen Suite’ (played in Central Park) , for others it’s ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ from Morricone’s film score from ‘The Mission’ or perhaps Monti’s ‘Czardas’ (performed in Petra) and for many it’s Gluck’s ‘Dance of the Blessed Spirits’ (Pavarotti’s Mass).

In Hanoi’s recital he gave these fans a treat with Borne’s ‘Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen’, a medley from ‘The Mission’, and a lively encore with ‘Czardas’.

Griminelli’s favorite composer is Mozart (his pet dog is named after the composer!) but Mozart’s flute concertos require complete symphony orchestras so only one Japanese audience will have the distinct honor of hearing Griminelli play Mozart. And what I wouldn’t give to hear him live with any of the concerti!

Griminelli’s classical music performance biography reads like a treasure chest of the world’s greatest composers, venues, orchestras and conductors, of whom he lists Giulini and Norrington amongst his favorites. He champions new flute compositions and composers and is intent on re-presenting the popular works of 20th century Italian film composers. Part of the Hanoi program features the works of Henry Mancini (music from Breakfast at Tiffanys), Nina Rota (from La Strada, Romeo and Juliet and The Godfather), and Morricone (Cinema Paradiso and The Mission).

Like some immensely talented, classically trained musicians, Griminelli has been able to move easily between musical genres. He has performed with contemporary and popular musicians such as Sting, Elton John, Deborah Harry, Bruce Springstein, and with Ian Anderson, the brilliant flutist from Jethro Tull. Often these collaborations are for charitable causes.

Griminelli has been honored with many awards, including a 1991 knighthood from the President of the Italian Republic. In October this year he will be the third recipient of The Golden Pavarotti Award. He’ll share the award with his friend and celebrated tenor, Andrea Boccelli.

In November he’ll be a co-recipient of the La Torretta Prize which is awarded annually to worthy and outstanding Italians from cultural, professional, sport and humanitarian fields.

Apart from a busy touring schedule and appearances at major concert halls, Griminelli is invited to participate on juries for musical prizes and this is one of the ways in which he assists and fosters up-coming talent.

Griminelli favors flutes made by Nagahara in Boston. He also plays a 24 carat gold Maramatsu flute but finds the lighter Nagahara less physically strenuous to hold during prolonged, concert performances.

Addendum: Griminelli’s recital at the Opera House was a great treat. It was a program designed to please all fans.

Although I appreciated the transcriptions of the Rotas. Mancinis etc I really loved the Poulenc Flute Sonata. This was composed in 1957 for Rampal and is one of the greatest 20th century flute pieces. I must admit I’m biased because Poulenc is one of my favorite composers.

Grimelli’s accompianist was Lim Yan, a very talented Singaporean pianist who is rapidly making a name for himself in the classical music world.

A final and appreciated treat was the short Vietnamese composition played by Griminelli and flute teacher Lê Thư Hương from the Hanoi Conservatory.

Thanks to the Italians for giving us an artist of such oustanding calibre. Thanks also to the corporate sponsor Valvitalia.

The final Italian musician in this trilogy will be one of the most promising young Italian musical talents, Gabriele Carcano, who will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no 1. If you saw Carcano at the Opera House last year you’ll definitely be booking a seat for October 15.