Jacques Attali is known to the world as the founder and first President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, writer, one of the world’s top intellectuals, an economist, and a special adviser to the former President of the Republic of France. He founded the largest European network for industrial research and development «Eureka» that invented, among other things, the MP3. The past decade, his name shines on the billboards of the best concert halls and opera houses in the world – he is a conductor.

On May 23, for the first time in Kazakhstan, Jacques Attali has risen to the conductor’s podium at the stage of the Astana Opera House. The concert was a great success. The audience warmly welcomed the conductor, the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra, as well as the solo performances of famous musicians – international competitions laureate, Presidential program «Bolashak» scholarship winner, «Revelación» award winner (Buenos Aires, 2015), the winner of the prestigious award of the Royal Philharmonic Society, soloist of Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic, soloist and concertmaster of London Contemporary Orchestra Galya Bisengalieva, famous cellist, soloist of Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic Yermek Kurmanaev. A star that has recently arisen on the horizon – the First Prize winner of Astana Piano Passion international competition Sanzharali Kopbaev has become the audience’s favorite.

«A musician is foremost an individual»

- In an interview, Maya Plisetskaya said of the conductor in a ballet: «If the conductor does not like you – that is the end of the ballerina!» How often do you have to conduct ballet performances and what is the specifics of ballet conducting?

I have conducted opera, but not ballet performances. However, I think this statement is true. The same principle applies to opera soloists. Although in this situation, both the conductor and the soloist either win together or lose together.

- You conduct at the most famous venues. Yesterday you had a rehearsal with the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra, what do you think of their professionalism, quality and composition?

It is an outstanding orchestra, one of the best in the world. I had a chance to conduct orchestras in England, Switzerland, France, and in Israel, the «Astana Opera» orchestra is definitely one of the best. This is my first collaboration with Kazakhstani orchestra and it is a great honor for me. The opera house is magnificent, it has wonderful acoustics – it is one of the best in the world. The orchestra is amazingly professional; it fully meets international standards. I am very proud to be here in this wonderful place. I first visited it in 1992. I think this country is fascinating and I am very interested in learning more about Kazakh culture, literature, music…

- Is it difficult to find an approach to each new team?

It is a matter of psychology. I always try to be very humble, make them understand that they are professionals, let them know that I have a lot to learn from them. Nevertheless, each time is different. It is very interesting to see different faces, different characters.

- Are there works that you particularly like to conduct?

It depends on various circumstances. Today I have chosen W.A. Mozart’s Symphony №25, part 1 and Piano Concerto №23, A dur, part 2, as well as L. Beethoven’s Symphony №7, J. Massenet’s «Méditation de Thaïs», E. Bloch’s «Prayer», but there are many different things that I like. For example Baroque music, mass, choir music, jazz… Although I have never tried to conduct jazz music, maybe I will try it one day. I like to discover new territories. Today I discovered a new for me Kazakh symphonic scherzo «Kyz Kuu» by Tles Kazhgaliev that I liked very much.

- Standing with your back to the audience, do you feel the connection with it?

I need the connection with the orchestra; I am fully focused on communicating with it.

- If something goes wrong during the concert, are you unhappy with yourself in the first place, or with the orchestra?

If this happens during the rehearsal, we work on the mistake and that is it. I am not looking for someone to blame. If it happens during the concert, we move on. We have to continue our work and do everything in our power to do the job well, not focus on what did not work.

- Do you have a role model among the conductors?

Absolutely! I would say that Valery Gergiev is fundamental, as well as Claudio Abbado. Daniel Barenboim is excellent, outstanding. Although there are many others that I like.

- Would you say that for you music conducting is more for the soul rather than income?

Income? No, not income, I do that for the challenge of my mind and for my soul.

Just be yourself

- Our press called you a universal man. You have succeeded in many areas – politics, economics, and literature. What about your personal life?

My personal life is private. I do not discuss it with the press (laughs).

- Which qualities helped you to succeed in today’s competitive world?

I always try to be authentically myself; I never try to compete with anyone. I just want to be myself and achieve what I have in my soul, not to compete or replace anyone.

- What other fields would you like to master?

I do not think I could ever be an acrobat, but maybe I will try.

- Do you make many sacrifices for you work?

I never work. Work is a word that I do not know. I enjoy everything I do.

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Jacques Attali has a doctorate in Economics and is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique (first in the class of 1963), the Ecole des Mines, the Institut d’Etudes Politiques and the Ecole Nationale de l’Administration. He taught Economic Theory at the Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées and the University of Paris-Dauphine. He has received honorary doctorates from several foreign universities and is a member of the Universal Academy of Cultures.

In 1989, he launched an international program of action against the disastrous floods in Bangladesh. Jacques Attali then advised the Secretary General of the United Nations on the risks of nuclear proliferation. He is at the origin of the higher education reform, known as LMD, to bring all European degrees into line.

Jacques Attali is an editorialist for the magazine L’Express. He has written fifty books, translated into more than twenty languages, with over six million copies sold all over the world, including essays (dealing with a wide variety of subjects ranging from mathematical economics, to music), biographies, novels, children’s tales and plays.

Jacques Attali was nominated President of the Commission for the liberation for French economic growth by the President of the French Republic in August 2007. He belongs to the top 100 public intellectuals in the world, according to the Foreign Policy Magazine (May/June 2008 and 2010).

Jacques Attali is also a music lover, practicing the piano since a very young age and involved in many musical projects. Jacques Attali has been an orchestra conductor for over ten years. He has conducted symphonic orchestras in Paris, Jerusalem, Shanghai, and London, among other cities.