| Interview with Helen Lin
(Pianist) Helen Lin received Master’s
degree from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and currently, working
on her doctoral degree from same University.
MOL: Tell us about the song arrangers from your
recordings...
HL: America, the Beautiful was arranged by
Bill Wolaver. He is from a musical talented family who now lives in New Milford,
Connecticut. Deep River was arranged by Warren M. Angell who is Dean Emeritus of the
Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts at Oklahoma Baptist University. Simple Gifts
was arranged by Joseph M. Martin who is very well-known by the churches and
colleges. I wanted to record a lot more, unfortunately, I was able to record only six
because in Cincinnati, the best recording studio, WGUC, has only Baldwin piano, which I
felt that the instrument was not sensitive enough to express my emotion at the level the
music requires… I plan to record more of songs with a better instrument in Cleveland,
Ohio.
MOL: What was your reasons for the recording?
HL: Church I work enjoys the arrangements I
play every Sunday. Church-goers were in tears after they heard them, so, I decided
to produce a CD so that people can enjoy not only on Sunday but at their homes too.
MOL: What songs and when do you plan to record more?
HL: I plan to record the following
songs…. "At the River" arranged by Joseph Martin and "Yellow
River", a virtuoso piece for piano, "A Friend in Jesus" from Symphony No.2,
Second movement by J. Sibelius, "Amazing Grace" and Saint-Saens' Swan, Holy Holy
and "Going home" from Dvorak's Symphony - all arranged by Marilyn Reimer.
I plan to record these songs immediately after my doctoral’s Qualifying Exam
in October 2003.
MOL: All the best in your next CD and good luck in your
qualifying exam. What do you hope to achieve ten years from now in your music career?
HL: I would like to continue to grow in
every aspects of my life artistically and musically. I firmly believe that there is no
limitation.
MOL: Who is your favorite performers and why?
HL: I admire several performers… Glen
Gould - his performance speaks of purity of his heart and soul. Martha Argerich--she
is on fire!! She creates a sense of danger that creates unpredictable excitement for
the listeners. Michil Pletnev--his refreshing musical phrases and sensitive touch. Most of
all, Sergei Rachmaninov is the best pianist ever in history, my opinion.
MOL: Thank you for the interview and all the
best wishes for your career.
To contact the artist, please contact: The Web Concert Hall
and write Helen Lin in the Subject
Interviewed in
September, 2003
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