SASKIA CONSTANTINOU meets the recently-appointed conductor of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra’s community outreach programme
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra has made enormous strides forward in the last ten years, both in terms of personnel expansion, programming and through the realisation that Cypriot musicians abroad should be encouraged to return home.
Yiannis Hadjiloizou, recently-appointed conductor of the Community Outreach Programme for the orchestra, is a case in point. Arriving for our interview on his huge R1200CL motorbike, which he absolutely loves, this tall, athletic young man with his charming smile explained that despite his musical background, studying music was not a given.
“Having been surrounded by it all my life, there was a certain need to know everything about it. My father’s creative process is my alpha and omega and by having the opportunity to travel with his choir (Michalis hadjiloizou led the Zenon choir of Larnaca) all over the world, I was introduced to many different cultures, variety of habits, religions and sounds. Probably another very important factor is that I was taught not to use music as a profession – it wasn’t a job but rather who I am.”
As with most Cypriot musicians, Yiannis chose to further his musical studies abroad and began in Chicago at the American Conservatory of Music, where he remained for five years. Was the competition tough? “Looking back, the Cyprus Academy of Music and ACM were the two most demanding institutions I have attended. I moved to Oklahoma after that and later to Boston where the overall intellect stunned me. I think it’s here where I received the most important touches in my conducting career – my teacher David Hoose and by being the first student allowed to sit in Maestro James Levine’s rehearsals with the Boston Symphony.”
It was in Boston that Yiannis’ entrepreneurial skills were unleashed. “I founded my own Boston Chance Orchestra and chorus and it was with them I had my Doctoral concert, performing Mozart’s Requiem and Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire.”
His time in the US did not only develop his love for music, Yiannis is a huge NBA fan and his face lights up as he chants ‘go Bulls go’.
So why is he back? “Cypriot artists have shined abroad, as there has not been the right foundation here to create and live from your art in this country. Although there have been changes, I returned to create from scratch and to give young artists a reason to flourish in their birthplace. It’s not an easy or fast process. I have taken over the position of President and Artistic Director of the Cyprus Academy of Music and founded the Melodramatic Stage of Nicosia, the Capital’s Opera Company and although the cash flow is shallow, love always seems to find a way.”
Yiannis is not only a conductor, but soloist and holds various teaching positions. With the orchestra, his aim in the outreach programme is to elevate people across the island through a mix of musical genres and styles in a one hour programme which he refers to as a “show”. “I want the listeners to know and feel that they are part of the creative process – part of the concert and not just observers. I want them to enjoy the concert like a good meal.”
His passionate belief in what he does is refreshing. “So often, the work atmosphere is not a happy one – with the fine musicians of the CySO, it is a great joy and rewarding experience every time we work together, and the pleasant atmosphere achieved during hard working rehearsal hours is similar to that which I try to create for the audience. It just takes the right people, at the right place, at the right time – love actually.”
As a composer, Yiannis is fascinated by contemporary music, but explains that this year, the programming will remain more traditional. “The general audience is not yet familiar enough to experience more contemporary music, so we have a fine and variable selection of works from the baroque to romantic with the title Music for All.”
Orchestras worldwide have realised the necessity and importance of outreach programmes, and yet many of the members don’t envelop the programme with much enthusiasm, instead preferring more traditional symphony concerts. “Well, its reasonable that playing the same repertoire repeatedly could lead to a lack of enthusiasm – happily, the CySO are fine professionals and give a twist to each concert, making each worthwhile. Anyway, we don’t play only for ourselves – we play for the public.”
Although Cyprus is not a large island, it is impossible to perform everywhere. But, in his typically optimistic style, Yiannis explains that “as we have planned our outings, audience members with a short drive, will be in reach of a concert.”
Yiannis wishes to extend each day by at least another three hours, and explains that his life is a “never ending learning process. Just like in rehearsal. When I am on stage, it is a know it all. I am the music.”
Music for All
October 13: Axiothea Street, Nicosia. 8.30pm.
October 27: Patticheon Old People’s Activity Centre, Limassol. 10.30am
November 10: Ayios Dhometios Town Hall. 7.30pm.
For more information: Tel: 22 466003, www.cymic.org.cy
