OPTIMISTS’ CORNER IVAN TASOVAC

Responsibility for laughter and sex

Tasovac. For laughter, for a sense of humour that beckons when discussing serious matters. He is always upbeat during his public appearances, so it is a pleasure to see him, not to mention hear or read him. His intelligence always cheers me up.

Text: Gordana Ristić, Photo: Vladimir Miladinović, May 2008

He transformed a crippled institution into a gem that is a credit to us all. As I walk the immaculate marble floor of the Belgrade Philharmonic, as I talk with that epitome of politesse, Dragan, whose countenance displays not one trace of ill humour, I realise that I am in the right place because, well,... I always seek joy in Serbia. In this oasis of optimism and positive energy I wonder – how can I spread that creative moment? I expect Tasovac will tell us.

We are greeted with a genuine smile – just like everything else about our host is authentic. Genuine feelings are indispensible when it comes to creating authentic things or biographies. He is in top form, he looks like one of those who aspire to a better life. I hope that his optimism can become contagious – I agree to be a carrier of that “disease”. Psychologists might describe the confidence he emanates as a product of a happy childhood in a great family (his father was a well known actor, his mother a music school teacher)... Origins: Herzegovina, Spanish noblemen, Boka Kotorska. That goes a long way to explaining the extravagance that transcends small town ideas about successful people in Serbia.

It was easy because one should not underestimate the role of luck in all that. The October 5th changes here encouraged the return of many young people educated abroad, so the orchestra’s age structure has changed over the last six years.

At this really complicated juncture for Serbia, it’s interesting to hear what you’re thinking about these days?
It is indeed complicated. But what has fascinated me most is that my 3-year-old son has learned to ski and been awarded his first certificate. He successfully negotiated the Mašinac ski run at Kopaonik, which overshadowed all other events. At the same time, I am really sorry that I wasn’t able to be there, watching it, because of a prior commitment at the time, so I`ve only been able to see a video of it.

So, you think there is some hope for a Serbia where children learn to ski before the age of three...
N I can’t say that I`m really that much at ease. All this reeks of the Nineties too much. But I think, quite simply, that the historical process has progressed sufficiently – not so much out of our own making – and that it won`t return to something that I`m quite frankly afraid of.

Everyone is talking about Russia in a political and geostrategic context, something that must strike a cord with you, given that you were educated in Moscow at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Many are sorry that you no longer play the piano. What was that quandary like, a pianist or director of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra? Did one even exist?

Of course it was a quandary… At one point I even fooled myself into thinking I could do both jobs at the same time, but I soon realised that this was impossible. Both careers would have suffered. I found a compromise solution – I consider myself a pianist temporarily working as the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra director, and, in any case, I still haven`t lost the illusion – or hope – of getting back to playing. What is really important for me is that the system established at the Philharmonic is starting to function of its own accord again. That gives me half an hour to an hour in the morning and evening to sit at the piano and immerse myself in the sound and the phenomenal feeling of the touch of the ivory keys.

A NEW INTERPRETATION OF THE THREE FINGERS

You mentioned the word ‘system’ that is very rarely used in Serbia. Maybe because we don`t have any systems or reasons to use them more often, except when we complain that we don’t have one. How did you create the system you`re talking about?

A manager’s success can be measured when he leaves a company. If he did well, he created a system that can function completely independently without him. To be honest, I think this is what I`m doing and what I want to create at the Belgrade Philharmonic. A lot of people manage to create something with their presence and charisma, but when they leave, it all falls apart. I genuinely hope that won`t be the case with the Belgrade Philharmonic.