Olivier Marin

What does music mean to you personally?

It has always been difficult for me to describe what music represents. It has this strange capacity to break all my emotional boundaries and move me very deeply, where it is impossible to use words.

If you were not a professional musician, what would you have been?

I was a business manager for many years and I think I would have kept going this way.

The classical music audience is getting old, are you worried about the future?

I am not really worried, I think there will still be an audience in the coming years. The Youtube Channel TwoSetViolin is a good illustration to realize that millions of people, more or less young, watch their videos. Maybe it will be necessary to adapt and break this elitist image of classical music.

What do you envision the role of music to be in the 21st century? Do you see that there is a transformation of this role?

Since always, music has been there to entertain us, make us dance, relax us or even heal our wounds. These roles probably won’t be the same. Unfortunately, today, music is everywhere, on TV, on the radio, in the shops, in the street, on the phone… However, it can also have positive effects when combined with a therapy.

Do you think that the musician today needs to be more creative? What is the role of creativity in the musical process for you?

In my opinion, creativity doesn’t have only advantages. I don’t admire contemporary classical music. A lot of composers, certainly, have demonstrated creativity, in terms of technic and langage but the music I envision doesn’t exist anymore. I rather like a sincere composer with less creativity. I don’t pretend to be creative, I want to transmit a honest message.

Do you think we as musicians can do something to attract the younger generation to music concerts? How would you do this?

Classical music concerts have a bad elitist image. We have to be well dressed, we must not applaud between the different parts, drink our little cup of campaign and show off in different ways. In order to get the young generations attention, the concert organizers should maybe offer more attractive prices, a less socialite environment, and diversified programs, pieces with films’ musics for example. Also let people express their feelings and applaud if they want to.

Tell us about your creative process. What is your favorite piece (written by you) and how did you start working on it?

It depends on the periods of my life. In general, it happens when I need to express my feelings but no word comes out. I feel the desire to put musicl notes on my emotions. Sometimes I have a melody in mind, sometimes I improvise, sometimes I even play things that are nonsense. Some melodies stay in mind for months or years and one day, maybe, they will be used for something. When I like a theme, then it’s on my mind, days and nights, and as long as the piece is not finished, I can’t sleep. “Eva” is my favorite piece because it has a strong meaning. I’ve started to write it when my wife was pregnant. At first, I wanted to compose a lullaby for my daughter. I had a theme in mind that eventually turned out to be the piece you are going to play. While writing, I thought about the happiness she would bring me, contrasting with my childhood memories.

Can you give some advice for young people who want to discover classical music for themselves? They should not make up their mind out of the first listening and should not start with to complex pieces. It’s easier to start with the classics, highlights of great composers whom everyone is unanimous about (Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, etc..). Then, it is a great endless journey. There are so many worlds to discover !

Do you think about the audience when composing?

Absolutely not, at least, not in the beginning. I only think about what I want to listen and feel. And when I start to think about it, I want to throw everything away and start again.

What projects are coming up? Do you experiment in your projects?

My main project is to improve myself as much as possible, playing the piano and writing. About the composition, I’ve been writing for some time melodies about poems written in concentration camps. That is a pretty dark subject but it’s a time of History that puzzles and moves me deeply. I want to pay tribute to these unknown people that have written words down in atrocious conditions.