MUSIC IS HER LIFE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 2

MUSIC IS HER LIFE

Heidi Litschauer, ’cellist of the Vienna Trio, has always been serious about music. When she was seven she wrote a letter to Father Christmas requesting a ’cello and a bow —her wish was granted and Heidi and her ’cello are seldom parted.

Although only 21 she has played professionally for 10 years with the violinist, Peter Guth, and the pianist, Rudolf Buchbinder. A dedicated artist, she has no regrets about a life which has meant work, study, travel and public performances—far from most teen-age girls* activities. The trio was formed when the three were students at the Academy of Music in Vienna. Heidi was 11, Peter Guth 13, and Rudolf Buchbinder nine. They admit their youth was, and still is, a draw, but refuse to be considered child prodigies. Although they began touring Europe at a very tender age any thoughts that they may have been pressured into it are firmly dismissed. Heidi, whose father is a conductor and whose mother teaches at the academy, said: “I have always wanted to be a musician, and I cannot imagine any other life. Concerts and making public appearances are so much part of me that I never worry about it.”

Only when a journey has been particularly tiring, or when she is desperately short of a necessapr 10 hours’ sleep a night—which is often, on a tour—does she ever consider the advantages of a nine-to-five job.

“We don’t know how lucky we are being able to see the world, make money, and do the thing we enjoy most — make music,” put in Peter Guth. While talent is the first requirement for achieving success in their world, luck and a good manager or agent also play a big part. The guidance of a shrewd businessman is as essential to a serious musician as a pop singer.

During their years together

the three have become very close and have learnt to make their own fun. Soon after the trio was formed their regular lessons were given by private tutors.

At first a parent always accompanied them on tours. Now they make their own way and differences are few. “I’m forgetful, Peter is always late, and Rudi is married,” Heidi said laughing. Their present tour is four months’ long and includes engagements in the East, New Zealand, and then in America. Apart from an encounter during a performance in the Philippines with a large, crawling insect which took a liking to Heidi’s long evening gown, lack of sleep, and adjustment to Christchurch cold after heat and humidity, things have gone smoothly so far. Interest in chamber music is increasing, and since the trio won the 10th international music competition of the German broadcasting stations in Munich its reputation has risen rapidly. Its fee also rises each year for the group must now look to the future. But bringing music to the people, not making money, is their aim. For their New Zealand tour they have accepted less than their usual fee. Gradually, too, they are reducing their number of school concerts. The mention of school concerts with an audience of children whose principal delight is to have an hour from school work, makes Heidi wrinkle her pert nose. She is intense, with piercing brown eyes and decided likes and dislikes. Although fond of her home in Vienna and looking forward to a skiing holiday in the Austrian mountains at Christmas, she

finds that staying in one place all her life does not appeal. Several years ago the trio found a disused and “very ugly” cellar in Vienna which they turned into a private club, Peter and Rudolf playing lighthearted jazz for their friends from the academy. In later years all three hope

: to be soloists, and already? give solo items when playing i with an orchestra. ’ Heidi has thought very little i about marrying and having a ! family. Whether she would ■ give up her career after mar- ■ riage would depend on her husband—and he would have : to be a very special man.