Highly gifted and internationally acclaimed Georgian violinist, Lisa Batiashvili, recently signed an exclusive contract with Sony BMG Masterworks. Her first Sony Classical release is a recording of the Sibelius and Lindberg Violin Concertos with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sakari Oramo.

Having fled Georgia with her family during the political turmoil of the early 90s, Lisa Batiashvili earned acclaim in her new home, Germany. Few young soloists command the degree of warmth and respect Batiashvili does, from musicians all over the world. She is a favorite soloist in some of the most renowned orchestras in the world, including: the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Orchestre de Paris, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Stockholm Philharmonic, and the Finnish Radio Symphony.

Her touring schedule includes performances on some of music’s most prestigious stages and she has collaborated with such illustrious conductors as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Charles Dutoit, Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert, Paavo Järvi, Vladimir Jurowski, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Sakari Oramo, Sir Simon Rattle, Yuri Temirkanov, Osmo Vänska, and many more. Batiashvili’s future recording projects include the Beethoven Violin Concerto and music by Giya Kancheli.

In a recent e-mail interview, Batiashvili opens up about some of the lesser-known details of her life.

Q: When did you start playing the violin?
Batiashvili: Actually, at the age of two I tried to imitate the young pupils of my father, Tamas Batiashvili, who is a member of the famous Georgian String Quartet and a Professor at the Conservatory of Tbilisi. Of course, at that time I could not read music, so I played by ear. At the age of four, I got a small instrument (quarter size) and I gave my first concert performance at a special children's concert at the Philharmonic in Tbilisi that year.

Q: Tell us about the period when you fled Georgia?
Batiashvili: There was heightened tension in 1991; my parents sensed danger of a civil war coming… and it really happened. The day after we landed in Germany we switched on the radio and heard that shooting had started right in front of our house in Georgia (our apartment had been on the corner of the Rustaveli Avenue).

Q: Did you feel at home in Munich?

Batiashvili: For the first two years, when we lived in Hamburg, I loved the city and the people who were supportive, but no, it never felt like home-- nor did Munich until I got married and had a child. But, now it does.

Q: Was there anything, or anyone, which was vital to your success?
Batiashvili: Yes, first, my teacher, Ana Chumachenco was very important for my development. In addition, my participation and subsequent award at the Sibelius Competition immediately led to forging crucial relationships with some of the world's most significant conductors and artist managers.

Q: Do you think you would have been as successful had you stayed in Georgia?
Batiashvili: No, I don't think so. Unfortunately, there was no future for any young musician at that time. As much as I love Georgia, this is simply the truth. The economic and political problems were so strong that the country was no longer able to provide a reasonable education. Teachers and professors were already at that time paid so miserably, that most of them had to escape Georgia themselves. Most of my friends in the musical circle left Georgia at that time as well.

Q: What opportunities does Georgia offer to young violin players?
Batiashvili: I think I answered that in the previous question. I am hoping that people will understand that so much more must be done to support talented young people in Georgia.

Q: Not many know about you in Georgia. Are you going to hold a concert in Georgia?
Batiashvili: Yes, I know I am probably better known in most of other countries than in Georgia-- maybe because I left Georgia at a young age and my parents never tried to make any buzz about me in front of the press. Of course, it takes much longer for information about activities in western culture to filter through to Georgia.

Q: What can you say about the arrest of your cousin Irakli Batiashvili?

Batiashvili: I am terribly sad and shocked about this. I have known Irakli as one of the most decent, diplomatic and intelligent people Georgia has known for last twenty years. He was one of the first people to fight for the independence of his country; he loves his people and has devoted his life to his country. He has never said anything bad or inadequate about anyone. I am so sad to see how strong the injustice still is in my country. I never thought it would go so far, that someone like Irakli could be imprisoned without proof of guilt. It is unnecessary to add that my will of going back to Georgia for a concert or even a visit has diminished a lot.

Q: Do you have any other offers besides Sony?
Batiashvili: I give around fifty concerts per year throughout the world with the leading orchestras and conductors. I am very lucky to be able to choose when, where, and with whom I want to play.

------

My Dad recently returned to Georgia, having lived in Germany for fifteen years. He really wanted to support the young talented violinists here, even though the salary is very small. He has founded youth orchestras and has been giving lessons to many young instrumentalists.
Additionally, my husband created a competition for wind instruments in 1998 and every year he and his colleagues (famous wind players from Europe) have been travelling to Georgia to help musicians with their studies and give out new instruments. It would be great if important people in Georgia could see what a real gift this is and that it's not something that should be taken for granted. There must be an increase in support for Georgians from within the country. There is so much beauty and good in Georgia, but talented artists need to be nurtured and supported. Unfortunately, in Georgia, the opposite often happens.