DOMRADIO.DE: Ms. Scheps, this Wednesday you are giving a benefit concert in the auditorium of the Lindenthal Kardinal-Höffner-Haus, the choral center of Cologne Cathedral Music. The special thing will be that in the first part of the evening, students from the cathedral music school will perform. And in the second part, a world-famous pianist plays who is an ECHO Classic prizewinner, has won many prizes from a young age and can always be found at the top of all classical music charts. How did this cooperation come about?
Olga Scheps (Concert Pianist): A few months ago I performed at the Cologne private initiative “Music in the Houses of the City” and was asked whether I could imagine participating in a charity concert for the organization “Cristo Vive”, which in turn was supported by the Cologne “Evamari & Andreas Röhling Foundation” is supported and campaigns for children in Bolivia to perform in the Cologne Cathedral Music. The initiator is Dagmar Schulte, who has been committed to children’s projects in Bolivia for many years and collects donations in Germany. I immediately found this idea very, very nice because I like the context. Children and music, music and children – after all, as a mother myself, this combination is very important to me. Because the earlier children come into contact with music, the better. Music is not only joy, fun and entertainment, it is also medicine for the soul. This is a big world with which one learns to process, understand and classify feelings. You can learn so much about yourself through music. And if I can help to make it easier for children anywhere in the world to access it, then I’m really happy to be part of it.
The Cologne Cathedral Music consists of four choirs and has the task of performing the services at the famous Cologne Cathedral, the Cologne Cathedral, musically at a high level. In addition, as a cultural ambassador, she is also a fixture outside of Cologne.
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DOMRADIO.DE: As a concert pianist you have certainly never performed in the cathedral. But before planning today’s performance, have you ever heard of Cologne Cathedral Music?
Scheps: Of course I know the cathedral music. I know that the children’s choirs not only participate in the liturgy in the cathedral but also give concerts or are involved in opera projects. But I haven’t had any contact with the location itself yet. That’s why I’m all the more looking forward to this special project – and of course to the children who appear in the opening act. Even if I play in the Philharmonie again in November, I don’t necessarily think that concerts always have to take place in such a large hall that is specially designed for them. Music can be made anywhere and reach people anywhere. That’s why I’m very happy that this concert will be broadcast live to Bolivia from the Cathedral Music Hall. This shows that we can connect with people worldwide through music. For me a very happy idea.
DOMRADIO.DE: You are a mother yourself. Opening up and familiarizing children with the world of music and all its possibilities is a matter close to your heart. What do you associate with it?
Scheps: I think it’s important that every child has access to music. It doesn’t have to be a job like it is for me, but when music is a part of life, it only has positive sides. Music makes life better. This is true for us adults, but it is also true for the children who get to know the world in all its colors. I grew up with music and I’m very grateful for that. I think when we show the children the world, we have to show them the world of music as well. What kind of music they like to listen to later, they find out on their own. But we should show them the many different facets of music if possible. And I always think it’s great when children can learn an instrument. That can only bring good. At least that’s how I experienced it: When I make music or listen to music, I can concentrate and think incredibly well. And that’s good for me, it helps me so much for my whole life that I can organize my thoughts with music. I often come up with really good ideas. The world of music is just a very important part for me. She helps in every area.
DOMRADIO.DE: The concert starts at 7 p.m. What program can the audience look forward to tonight?
Scheps: I play Schubert’s “Wanderer-Fantasie”, Schumann’s “Faschingsschwank aus Wien”, which is quite varied and deals with very different emotions, which line up like parts of a picture exhibition, and an arabesque by Claude Debussy. So much for the classic part. But also the pieces “Jeux De Maxim” by Chilly Gonzales or “Start Anew” by Frida Johansson – that’s the melody of a computer game that I arranged for piano myself – are on the program. Parts of this colorful mixture of repertoire and completely new things can also be found on my album “Family”, which I recorded last year and dedicated to my family as a sign of appreciation and gratitude, because actually every piece recorded there has something to do with my family Has. For example, the first Debussy arabesque is the first real piece my mom taught me. In general, music stimulates the imagination very strongly, and as a child I always had a lot of fun imagining things with music. I also associate that with this arabesque.
DOMRADIO.DE: The organization “Cristo Vive”, which is supported by the Cologne “Evamari & Andreas Röhling Foundation”, looks after children from the poorest families in various facilities in Bolivia. They will benefit from the proceeds of this concert, entry is free, but donations are welcome. What can you tell us about this initiative?
Scheps: The aim is to build a kindergarten for children in the Bolivian city of Chocaya that will enable them to participate in education at an early age – a big issue in poorer regions of South America. The aim is to use the donations from the concert to create suitable premises for the children – including a special needs room for therapeutic measures. A live broadcast to the Chokaya facility will allow numerous local families to participate in the concert. And that makes me really happy. But I would be even happier if as much as possible was donated by Ms. Schulte that evening for this project and the children in Bolivia could benefit from it.
DOMRADIO.DE: You were born in Moscow, but have lived in Germany for 30 years, studied at the Cologne University of Music and also perform here regularly, when Corona is not paralyzing the cultural scene or you are on tour with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. As an artist, what do you appreciate about this city?
Scheps: I really like the Cologne mentality. I just feel good here. People are sincere, sociable, humorous. Cologne is a very lively city. I like their extraordinary flair. In addition, the location of Cologne with its airports is very good for my job, because I always travel a lot in Europe. But the main thing is that my family is here.
The interview was conducted by Beatrice Tomasetti.
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