An interview article by Rosemary Phillips,
September 2002
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Denise Djokic |
Denise Djokic is definitely an artist to watch for. In this interview,
geared to the opening concert of the Vancouver Island Symphony’s
2002/2003 season “Perfect Harmony”, Denise talked about
her last year in music, her very quick rise with both the Sony Classical
Records signing and also the Grammy Awards, her performances across
North America, and her thoughts on harmony. Not only is Denise a
great musician, she is a joy to talk with about her life, her career,
and insights into other-than-music. UPDATE 2012: Denise will be making her Carnegie Hall debut in May 2012.
“Music is an integral part of the world today,” explained
Halifax-born cellist Denise
Djokic in a recent phone interview. “I feel it’s the
one way in which we can all communicate using the same language
- it’s universal. At a time when differences are causing difficulties,
music can unite us all in a very optimistic and powerful way.”
When describing the 2002/2003 Vancouver Island Symphony season Perfect
Harmony, Maestro Wolfe states, “Now more than any other time
in history the world is talking about peace and harmony.”
What better way to open the season than with a guest artist who
only this month has been featured in Maclean’s magazine as
one of 25 young Canadians who are already changing the world.
“Music is a huge part of who I am,” added Djokic. “My
life and my music go hand in hand.”
Denise Djokic signs with Sony Classical Records
Both have spiralled upwards in this last year. At just 21, Djokic
released her first recording with Sony Classical Records and
appeared in the Grammy Awards.
“It’s been an incredibly exciting year. I hadn’t
expected to come up so suddenly. It’s been a huge motivational
pull to spur my career, boost my repertoire, make me travel, even
record, and collaborate with pop musicians, things I never thought
I would be doing.”
It was her association with Sony that enabled her to be part of
the Grammy’s. “Train, the band I played with, is also
on Sony Records. That was how the connection was made.”
Playing the Grammy’s was somewhat surreal. “I really
couldn’t believe that I was there and I was trying to soak
up every moment possible because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Denise Djokic has been playing
for years.
Djokic may only be in her 20s yet the rise in her musical career has been
a long one of many years, beginning at the age of four. “The
violin was the first instrument I picked up,” she explained.
“My dad is a violinist. We figured it was the smallest and
easiest thing for me to play.”
After a year with the Suzuki program she changed to piano. “The
Conservatory was at my school so it became a routine. My piano lessons
were a part of my daily life.” Even though both her parents
are classical musicians they chose to have her take training with
other teachers. “They would tell me every day that I needed
to practice but other than that there wasn’t a huge involvement
on their part.”
Then one day she heard her uncle on the cello. “He used to
come and play chamber music with my parents. As a youngster I was
struck by the size and presence of the instrument and the qualities.
I really liked the rich sound and the bass. I picked it up for fun,
and in the beginning it was a very casual thing.”
As she grew into a teen her cello took on a more serious role in
her life. “My parents and teacher thought that the cello was
something that I had a special gift for. I became a bit more involved
with my cello studies and became closer to the instrument.”
Travelling with a Stradivari cello
Now, after several years of schooling at the Cleveland Institute
and the New England Conservatory, Djokic stays very close to her
instrument, particularly as she flies back and forth across the
continent to perform. “When I’m on the plane it sits
next to me - it’s like a headrest. I fall asleep when I’m
travelling and lean up against it. I have to keep an eye on it.”
The instrument she speaks of is the 1696 Stradivari cello called
“Bonjour” she has on loan from the Canada Council.
“Every instrument has a different tonal quality, which is
why it’s good to play a lot of instruments. The more you play
the more you discover what your preferences and your style are.
The Strad is certainly very special and is very deep with a broad
range.”
(On Sept. 28 “Bonjour” joined her at centre
stage with the VIS at the Port Theatre for Schumann’s “Cello
concert Op. 29 in A Minor.”)
“The Schumann is one of my favourite concertos and I love
to play it. It really has a special place in my heart. It’s
a sort of very moody melancholy piece that has a lot of optimism.
I have my own personal feelings and connections with the piece that
come out when I’m performing and practicing it. That inspires
me when I am playing. I’ve had experience with this piece
and the more I play it the more special it is, and more meaningful,
as you see more sides of it.”
Denise Djokic practices every day
Djokic practices every day. “I usually practice early in
the morning or late at night. I live in an apartment complex and
my neighbours put up very well with my playing. So far so good.”
That practicing has polished up a bright new shining star. The audience
in Nanaimo this coming Saturday will surely be touched by the light
from Denise Djokic’s warm and youthful personality and virtuosic
musicianship. “I feel fortunate to be performing as I do,
to reach broad audiences across the country,” added Djokic.
“I’m getting to know my country very well. This is the
beginning of my career and the most special thing to me is to reach
people from all walks of life.”
For more information on her schedule, recordings and management visit Denise
Djokic's web
site.
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