Ortansia
 

PA ~  When did you take up your artistry and how long have you been involved with it?

Ortansia: I started writing songs and singing some five years ago when I spent a year in Vienna. I was influenced by the beauty of the city to compose some hundred or so songs. I have been involved in writing songs and singing since then.

PA ~ Musically, how would you describe your sound/genre?

Ortansia: Obviously not opera, rock or heavy metal! If I had to categorize my music, I would say that it is basically adult contemporary, although some songs are soft jazz in style, and some easy listening. I would say I sound as cool as Patricia Kaas, as husky as Julie London, as emotional as Nana Mouskouri, and my songs are as dramatic as those of Charles Aznavour.

PA ~  What gravitated you toward your artistic work?

Ortansia: In brief, music has been my life ever since I was little. When I was about 3 years of age, my father used to let me listen to the music of Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Brothers Four! Since then, music has been an integral part of my make up. I used to like writing poetry, and I suddenly though one day how nice it would be if I could sing to the words I wrote in order to express myself.

PA ~ Who are you influenced by?

Ortansia: It is difficult to name one particular person. I suppose all the people whose music I have listened to over the years and who have given me pleasure.

PA ~ I understand you have a CD called 'Silent Heart'. What is the listener in store for?

Ortansia: The listener is in store for a musical treat! Being my first CD, I chose 12 songs of mine which are varied in style, but all representing myself and my work. The theme of this CD is love in its many guises - secret love, lost love, unrequited love, and holy love. They are all kinds of love which everyone has experienced, and the listener can identify his or her feeling with. The CD seeks to express the purity of love, hesitation, tenderness and fragility.

PA ~ How is the CD being received?

Ortansia: Two of the songs have already been successful in prestigious international songwriting competitions: the VH1 Song of the Year Songwriting Competition (in Houston), and the UK Songwriting Contest. Many of the songs from the CD have also been played on the radio, both in the US and Japan, and on internet radio. The CD has also been favourably reviewed. It has even been reviewed in Italian! I have also received many letters expressing sympathy with some of the songs. Many have experienced the same kind of feelings.

PA ~ Do you have a favorite composition on the CD?

Ortansia: All 12 songs are dear to me. As they are all my own work, it is difficult to like one song more than another. As to the arrangement of the songs, however, 'Love Song', 'Christmas is Near' and 'Think of Me' best match what I wanted them to sound like. In fact, these arrangements have surpassed the image I had.

PA ~ Will you be touring to promote 'Silent Heart'?

Ortansia: Yes, I will be visiting Russia in the summer, and will be giving a concert in St Petersburg. I am also arranging a Christmas concert in Japan. I would love to visit all places where people wish to listen to my singing.

PA ~ Any other projects or follow ups in the works at present?

Ortansia: I am currently making a second CD. The arrangements are nearly completed. I will be recording the CD in September, and hope that it will be out before the end of the year.

PA ~ Do you perform solo or normally with a group?

Ortansia: I perform solo with a few instrumentalists.

PA ~ What would someone expect attending one of your shows?

Ortansia: A heart-warming, friendly atmosphere.

PA ~ Do you perform outside of your hometown?

Ortansia: Yes.

PA ~ During your artistic journey so far, any interesting stories come to mind you'd like to share with us?

Ortansia: I do remember well my first meeting with the sound engineer of 'Silent Heart'. I had just arrived in St Petersburg after a long flight from Japan. I was meant to meet him at the studio the same day. I hadn't realized than Russian hotels have no clocks in the room. So I went according to the time as it appeared on the TV screen in the room. I didn't realize that St Petersburg and Moscow have different times! I was, needless to say, late. Not the most wonderful beginning to the relationship. Luckily, all went well the second day!

PA ~ What are some goals you hope to accomplish in the future?

Ortansia: To hear many people singing my songs on the street! And to sing my song 'Christmas is Near' with Placido Domingo in the 'Christmas in Vienna' series of concerts in Vienna. I want 'Christmas is Near' to become a standard Christmas number around the world.

PA ~ What are your other interests outside of your singing?

Ortansia: Reading, playing the piano, fashion, and traveling without any particular purpose.

PA~  Where can someone find out more about Ortansia?

Ortansia: From my homepage at: http://www.ortansia.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silent heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sea between us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a cold winter's day