By Bettina Goemener
The violinist Lisa Batiashvili comes from Tbilisi (Georgia). In 1991 she left the former Soviet republic with her family and came to Germany. From here she made a world career.
She lives in Munich with her husband and two children. Batiashvili (43) is one of the artists who are opposed to the Ukraine war and Putin’s policies.
On Thursday she will perform at the Musikfest with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézét-Séguin.
BZ spoke to the violinist, who will also present works from her new album “Secret love letters” at the concert in the Philharmonie.
BZ: Ms. Batiashvili, why is your album called “Secret Love Letters”?
Lisa Batiashvili: Composers often tell stories, including love stories, that they have experienced themselves. They are about loves that cannot be talked about, due to cultural and private reasons. Or because you love someone you are not allowed to love. But with music, an incredible number of emotions can be honestly expressed, and that is the strength of music.
Do you sometimes write love letters?
I haven’t written for many years, and I write very little on paper. In times of digitization, people send each other short text messages. I find that practical, but for emotions and love it’s too fake and impersonal for me, you can completely pretend. I think these are unromantic times. But the younger generation is used to expressing itself on the Internet.
You have close ties to Berlin. How did that happen?
At 25 I had my debut with the Berlin Philharmonic. Eight weeks before that I just became a mother. That was 18 years ago, since then we’ve played together a lot, it’s a fulfilling musical friendship. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of being on stage with the Philharmoniker. In 2018 I lived in Berlin for a short time. I keep realizing how important this city is to me. The idea of being a Berliner one day is still active in my head.
You are a violinist, your husband François Leleux (51) an oboist. Your children, will they also become musicians?
They should do what interests them. Nevertheless, it was important to me that they find access to the world of music. My children love music, go to concerts, my son (14) plays the trumpet, my daughter (18) the flute. As a mother, what makes me particularly happy is that my children are also developing in other ways and that my daughter, for example, has just graduated from school.
What music do you listen to at home?
Rarely classic, my life is already so full of it. But mostly hits that my kids listen to, for example by R&B singer Bruno Mars and singer Ariana Grande. I also really like listening to jazz.
You support Ukraine with concerts, in 2014 in Helsinki and this year in Berlin. How does this relate to your experience in Georgia?
I experienced the history lessons of Eastern Europe firsthand. I say that because many people in Western Europe know very little about it. Unfortunately! The clear message from the concert with the DSO in the Philharmonie this March was that we not only show solidarity and help, but also stay tuned. Don’t say after five months: It’s war over there now, I’m only interested in the fact that heating gets more expensive in winter.
Is Germany not getting enough involved?
I’m not entirely convinced by Germany’s political position because it likes to appear undecided and undecided. I would like Ukraine to get support in everything. Ukrainians do not want to give up an inch of land, because they know that otherwise the aggression will continue again and again, as has been the case since 2014.
Can you do something with music against war and politicians like Putin?
Music touches a lot of people’s emotions. As musicians we can at least speak to and encourage parts of society. We are fortunate to live in a democracy, we can have a say, have a say. Therefore we should uphold the values of Europe and support those who want a democratic society.
September 1st, 8 p.m., Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, 36-72 euros,☎ 25 48 89 99, information and tickets