Former MSU professor to perform in orchestra

Legendary local pianist Ralph Votapek will join the MSU Symphony Orchestra Saturday to commemorate his decades of performance and teaching at MSU.

Votapek retired four years ago, after 36 years of teaching at MSU. Although he is no longer teaching, Votapek, 69, still is a familiar face around campus because of his periodic performances. He will be performing Saturday in Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall. He will be featured on the songs “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” by De Falla and “Symphony No. 2: The Age of Anxiety” by Bernstein.

Violin performance doctoral student Ji Hyun Kim said she is sure the show will play to a packed house on Saturday. Faculty members have been coming to rehearsals just to see Votapek.

“It’s amazing for anyone to have a long career just doing one thing you really love and you’re really good at it,” she said. “It’s inspiring to all the young kids and for myself too. Hopefully I’ll be like that at some point.”

In celebration of Votapek’s 40 years of performances around campus and in the community, MSU Symphony Orchestra conductor Leon Gregorian said he suggested that Votapek join the orchestra as a soloist for the program.

Votapek’s material includes “very difficult works, but the orchestra is a superb orchestra, and the soloist is a remarkable pianist, so when you put them together, it should be a great concert,” Gregorian said.

Gregorian has known Votapek since 1971 and he said Votapek is extremely musical with incredible technique. He said Votapek is a great collaborator and that he has enjoyed working with him.

“I always look forward to the concerts, but this one is very special because Mr. Votapek happens also to be a dear friend,” he said. “Anytime I have an opportunity to work with him, it’s an honor and a privilege.”

Since his passion for his art remains strong, Votapek said he feels he has at least 10 to 15 years left in him to play.

“I think I’m my worst critic and I feel if I can’t keep up to my standards then it’s time to quit, but I don’t feel that way now by any means,” he said.

Since retiring, Votapek said life has been more relaxing and he has been able to spend more time devoted to recording and performing, as well as other interests.

“When I was teaching, it was sort of a juggling act between the teaching and the performing,” he said. “Life was sometimes very hectic.”

Nowadays Votapek performs around the world. He spends much of his time in Springfield, Mass., where he performs under the conduction of a former student, and in Argentina.

Kim has worked with Votapek in the past and said she is excited to work with him again. Although he’s retired, Kim said Votapek still shares his thoughts with the students onstage and backstage.

“It’s really amazing to work with him,” she said. “Every time he plays it’s really inspiring and very musical.”