> [Archived] Interviews
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Interview with conductor Ionel Tudor and pianist George Natsis
A new concert held by the Big Band Radio takes place on the stage of the Radio Hall. Starting at 7pm, the ensemble under the baton of Ionel Tudor will perform works signed by Duke Ellington, Count Basie or Neal Hefty, among others.
Ionel Tudor: I think that the rehearsals went quite well. As we have accustomed you and the spectators and the radio listeners, it will be a very, very good concert, with great titles by great jazz composers. It is a diverse repertoire. We are convinced that the audience will, as always, receive our music very, very well, as we are used to.
How did you choose the programme?
Ionel Tudor: Together with the members of the orchestra. With Mr. George Natsis, with Sebastian Burneci…
George Natsis: For me, this repertoire has also a slight sentimental value because Duke Ellington was one of the first composers that I played from the moment I got hired at the Radio, Ionel realized that and that's probably why he insisted a little on this repertoire, especially since I haven't played in a long time. Since then, the orchestra has changed, has rejuvenated and it was interesting to observe how young people approach this repertoire. So far, so good.
Now it is clear that in terms of sound, the Big Band is specific and special! It has a unique space and the arrangements are also specific for this orchestral formula.
Ionel Tudor: The arrangements are very, very well made, they are the original ones. We are happy because we have this kind of arrangements in our Big Band library.
George Natsis: There is nothing more we could add. We could only start performing, but we will do that at the concert and we look forward to seeing you at the Radio Hall!
Translated by Ecaterina Bucovanu,
University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I
Corrected by Silvia Petrescu