thoughts & opinions:

“A few days before the death of my grandad I took part in the Eurovision Grand Prix 1998 competition for young musicians in Vienna. The finalists´ concert was broadcasted to the entire world. My grandad, seriously ill at that time, was also one of the people who saw the concert on television. When I visited him a few days after, he was glad to see me. He was very proud of me. He was unbelievably happy and he told me with difficulties: “Misko, it was beautiful... it was superb...” On that day I saw him crying for the first time in my life. He cried of happiness and pleasure. I think it really must have pleased him. But it was also the day I saw him for the last time. A few days later he lost his long battle with illness. After I realised that it was the last gift I would give him, last great happiness that I would give him. I am so proud of it... Those tears of happiness in his eyes will stay in my heart for the rest of my life. As a remembrance of him, as a reward for my work. Not money, contracts or material possessions, but tears of happiness in the eyes of others. Now I can openly say to you it is not so important to play and perform correctly Bach or Beethoven. It is far more important to help others and make the world around us better with the help of art and music. If we help with our music even one person, his heart or soul, we have fulfilled the meaning of our existence on this earth and the meaning of music itself... And we never know to who we are giving this pleasure for the last time.”
Michal Stahel: Music performance - its essence, significance and meaning, May 1999

“I confess I have never thought about my desired position. In addition to music I am involved with the fine arts. I like to draw, paint and take pictures. I am aware of nature and life around me. I am very keen on poetry which I read and write... I am honestly not able to say what is at the moment my dream position... what I feel inside of me it should be, is to live fully...”
Hudobny zivot (Slovak music magazine), July-August 1999

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