Pianist pauses to wonder

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 6

Pianist pauses to wonder

The Christchurch-born international pianist, Richard Mapp, occasionally wonders whether he should settle down and earn a reasonable living from his profession as befits a man approaching his thirtieth birthday.

Since arriving in London in 1975, Mr Mapp has become well established as a soloist, ensemble player, and teacher at the Royal Academy. Only recently has he contemplated making a break into that elite circle of top international soloists. "I would like to do more or less what I am doing now — a bit of teaching and a bit of playing — but at a higher level or a different setting to ‘earn a reasonable living,” he said in Christchurch yester-. day. “To rise above the hundreds of equally competent pianists in London requires winning a competition, or getting a lucky, break by knowing somebody who can

introduce you to the right people. “In terms of making it into the top level, people think I’m too old at 29. The best age is 20 to 22. Even at 24 you are already getting a .bit far along the road.” “People say ‘Oh yes, let’s hear you play.’ Then they say ‘That's fine, but you are 29 ...’ They are immediately suspicious that you haven’t made it by this time and think maybe you are crazy or there is something wrong with you. “It is partly my fault because I took a long time to get myself together, to get my priorities right and decide to work hard enough, and practice properly.” In 1978 Mr Mapp won the Dudley International Piano Competition but has not entered any others for several years. ■ "I don’t play as well as I can in them because I don’t have that sort of. nerve and

also I object to the whole competition rat-race,” he said. Encroaching commercialism in. even the most prestigious piano competitions meant that the competitors were lured by The prize

money and concert venues rather than by the thrill of winning a “name” competition. he said. “I also feel a bit doubtful about the big competitions and doing all those major concerts in such a short time afterwards,” he said. In fact, he ponders, he might not really like the life of a major international concert soloist because there are “too many things I enjoy that I wouldn’t have time for.” "Like time to read and spend time with my friends, do some cooking, sight-see-ing, and swimming and having a lazy summer holiday,” he said.

“I try to be the best musician I can and it is really up to the rest of the world to react to that as they will.” Christchurch audiences will be able to judge for themselves on Saturday when Mr Mapp gives a recital in the Town Hall.