First recital at eight

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 6

First recital at eight

A Russian pianist, Mark Zeltser, was applauded for giving his first public recital at the age of eight. However, the musician’s four-year-old daughter has gone one better and made her first public appearance — on American television. But. for Mr Zeltser it is a case of the earlier the better.

“If you start to play the piano at age nine — you had better not start. By the age of 12 you must have all the technique." ?

Mr Zeltser, who is in gChristchurch to appear with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra this evening, has not brought either of his daughters on this trip. He has, however, brought ear infections in both ears. But these are not expected to cause any problems this evening. The American-based pianist is relatively unknown to New Zealand audiences although he has played throughout the world since leaving the Moscow Conservatory. “I didn’t play very much outside of Russia and decided to emigrate. This did not create too many problems. and it was a good time to emigrate, as the authorities did not care. I was not irreplaceable." Soon after arriving in the United States, Mr Zeltser started to re-establish himself, and was invited to play with the New York Philharmonic.

Next were appearances with the Berlin Philharmonic, “the best orchestra in the world to play with.”

Mr Zeltser has also established himself as a recording artist and as a European television personality. “I may do a programme about Beethoven, . a programme for housewives, or a programme for children," he sa'id. “My profession is to give

• some kind of enjoyment to I other people. It is very ifni portant that the listener enjoys what I do.” Mr Zeltser maintains that I if he is invited to play in < New Zealand again, within two or three years, he -is 1 successful at his profession.