What is the Question – July

For July’s What is the Question Roland chatted with piano virtuoso Wendy Rechenberg.

 

What is your name?

Wendy Rechenberg.

 

What is your occupation?

Accompanist/piano teacher.

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

I was relocating back to Australia after having lived and worked in London for 20 years. I didn’t want to live in another big city which ruled out Melbourne; I had a sister living in Beaufort and a dad living in Geelong… so Ballarat was in the in the middle! I had fond memories of visiting Ballarat as a child and importantly, I knew it had a strong artistic history and culture. I thought I would be able to make a new life there. It was a brave decision as I knew no-one in the city, but I now consider myself a true Ballaratian – (Is that the word?)

 

What is your favourite spot in the city?

Lake Wendouree. I particularly love it when it is cold, there is a mist over it, and it has this magical, mystical feel about it.

 

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

Heading-off to London when I was 21 to further my musical studies. I was terrified as well as being excited. I remember crying at a New Year’s Eve party a week before I left, saying, “I will be back before nine months is out”. I stayed 20 years.

 

What do you like to cook?

Anything in the slow cooker. Soups, stocks, lamb shanks, ossobuco. Winter foods!

 

What is the most expensive thing you’ve purchased – property aside?

Easy – my Steinway piano.

 

What is your most treasured possession?

Two pieces of art by Ballarat Arts Foundation alumna Kim Anderson. The one that is particularly treasured is a drawing she did of my dad’s hands. He had already passed when she produced this work for me, and she worked off photographs. She sensitively drew the old, worn, gnarled and tired farmer’s hands that belonged to my dad, and also somehow managed to capture his spirit, heart and soul through his hands. Every time I look at this artwork, I remember this special man.

 

What is the greatest love of your life – apart from friends and family?

My dogs, Marvin and Frankie. I was always a cat lover in London but coming back to Australia and having a proper garden I was able to have pooches. I couldn’t be without them. Somehow, they can get up to the worst mischief but always win my forgiveness.

 

If you could ask your pet one question, what would it be?

Why/when/how did you do that?

 

What would you change if you could edit your past?

Not spend 20 years in London. I loved it but do often wonder what my life might have been if I had stayed in Australia, or only spent a few years in London.

 

What or who inspires you?

I have the most incredible set of friends who are experts in their fields; compassionate, passionate and simply put, inspirational.

 

What music and television do you like?

My main love would be classical music, followed by music theatre. And I love a good crime show on TV.

 

What is your favourite quote?

“When one teaches, two learn” – Robert Heinlein.

 

What person – living or dead would invite to dinner party?