Welcome to Ask the Violinist!
TODAY’S SPECIAL FEATURE: Travel and Performance Insights from ANNE AKIKO MEYERS
1. What does your routine on a performance day look like?
"Well, it usually involves a dress rehearsal in the morning, a huge lunch of some yummy pasta, a work-out, a teeny nap and a shower to get ready! If there is no dress rehearsal, I try and sleep in or walk around town and see what's going on."
2. In rehearsals, particularly with a new orchestra or conductor, do you "give it your all" or hold back to save energy for the actual concert? What suggestions in this regard would you have for a young violinist who is making his/her first solo concert appearances with an orchestra?
"Rehearsals are just that - a place to experiment and try different things. I work in reverse a bit by working together with the orchestra/conductor in rehearsal and really going for it in concert. This is what makes a concert so exciting in my opinion. ... Read more...
If you are in the Chicago area, you won't want to miss Ms. Meyers' performance at Ravinia's Gordon Bennett Hall (Highland Park, IL) on August 20, 2011. Tickets: $10. http://www.ravinia.org/ViewDate.aspx?show=315.
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RECITAL REPERTOIRE
If a violinist is preparing for their first full-length recital or their first recording, what suggestions do you have for selecting repertoire? Are there pieces you feel that are neglected by modern soloists?
We recently posed this question to internationally acclaimed violinist and recording artist VINCENT P. SKOWRONSKI.
"After some years of meaningful accomplishments and assumed musical maturation, an aspiring violinist should rightfully be prompted and convinced that 'sooner-or-later' definitely means NOW for his-or-her FIRST real time violin recital. At this point, the person in question should hopefully be light-years beyond Antonio Vivaldi's A Minor Violin Concerto and well on their way up the tremulous 'stairway to paradise.' If not .... back up the truck!
For openers, I would immediately eschew the J.S. Bach solo material for this particular 'debut' concert, as even a profound reading of any of the Sonatas/Partitas would most likely bore dear Grandma to tears and almost certainly contribute to the general discomfort of others in attendance. Rather, let's consider doing a ROMANTIC violin thing. ...." Read the entire article.
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Can Your Bow Handle the Humidity? - Suggestions from VADIM GLUZMAN
You may find it hard to cope with the extreme summer temperatures and humidity. Your bow doesn't like it either! Israeli violinist and acclaimed recording artist Vadim Gluzman shared with us how he plans ahead for "sticky situations."
"I have experienced problems a few times with the bow when I was performing in an extremely humid climate - the hair was stretched so much that it was impossible to tighten the bow at all. Now... Read more....
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VIOLIN CAREERS - CONCERTMASTER
What Are the Responsibilities of a Concertmaster? Answers from DAVID KIM
Violinist David Kim has held the position of concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999. 
He began playing the violin when he was three, continued his studies with Dorothy Delay when he was eight, and went on to receive both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Juiliard. In addition to his position as concertmaster, he is sought after as a soloist and masterclass teacher in such institutions as Curtis, Juilliard, Yale, the Shanghai Conservatory, and universities across the United States.
He recently shared what he considers to be a few of the many responsibilities of a concertmaster:
1. Lead the first violins with physical cues.
2. Communicate any subtle cues or desires of the conductor to the first violinists.
3. Be a reasonable and sensible clearing house for bowing issues which inevitably arise amongst all the string sections.
Read more about being a concertmaster...
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: SANTA ANA SUZUKI STRINGS - INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA FAISST
In 1992 Suzuki violin teacher, Cynthia Faisst returned to the U.S. after her graduation from the Talent Education Research Institute where she studied with Dr. Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan. While she struggled to start her first Suzuki program in Orange County that spring, she was emotionally touched by the violence which erupted on the streets of South Central Los Angeles. She had heard about the work of Jose Abreu in Venezuela before leaving to study with Dr. Suzuki and was filled with desire to search for a way that she could make a difference by teaching with an at-risk-population. ...Read more...
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CULTURES IN HARMONY - INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM HARVEY
William Harvey is a gifted and unique violinist, receiving accolades not only for his performances as a soloist, but also for his work as a conductor, composer, and teacher. If you heard his performance on NPR's From the Top (http://www.fromthetop.org/node/63), you know that he is also the founder and director of Cultures in Harmony - an organization that reaches out through music to build bridges across cultural and national barriers around the world. We asked Mr. Harvey to share with us his ideas regarding the importance of music and outreach programs.
Q: You are well known for your performance for the members of the Fighting Sixty-Ninth regiment shortly after the attacks on 9/11. Prior to that, what was your experience with outreach programs?
A: My mother made it a priority to organize performances for me in nursing homes from when I was very young, so this was a part of my upbringing. However, I never saw it as a large part of my future career until 9/11, which dramatically re-oriented my priorities towards exploring music's capacity to transform society. ... Read more...
"I have experienced problems a few times with the bow when I was performing in an extremely humid climate - the hair was stretched so much that it was impossible to tighten the bow at all. Now... Read more....
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VIOLIN CAREERS - CONCERTMASTER
What Are the Responsibilities of a Concertmaster? Answers from DAVID KIM
Violinist David Kim has held the position of concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999.
He recently shared what he considers to be a few of the many responsibilities of a concertmaster:
1. Lead the first violins with physical cues.
2. Communicate any subtle cues or desires of the conductor to the first violinists.
3. Be a reasonable and sensible clearing house for bowing issues which inevitably arise amongst all the string sections.
Read more about being a concertmaster...
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: SANTA ANA SUZUKI STRINGS - INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA FAISST
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CULTURES IN HARMONY - INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM HARVEY
William Harvey is a gifted and unique violinist, receiving accolades not only for his performances as a soloist, but also for his work as a conductor, composer, and teacher. If you heard his performance on NPR's From the Top (http://www.fromthetop.org/node/63), you know that he is also the founder and director of Cultures in Harmony - an organization that reaches out through music to build bridges across cultural and national barriers around the world. We asked Mr. Harvey to share with us his ideas regarding the importance of music and outreach programs.
Q: You are well known for your performance for the members of the Fighting Sixty-Ninth regiment shortly after the attacks on 9/11. Prior to that, what was your experience with outreach programs?
A: My mother made it a priority to organize performances for me in nursing homes from when I was very young, so this was a part of my upbringing. However, I never saw it as a large part of my future career until 9/11, which dramatically re-oriented my priorities towards exploring music's capacity to transform society. ... Read more...
CiH Executive Director William Harvey
plays a spontaneous concert for children by the
side of the road in Papua, New Guinea.
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AVOIDING VIOLIN INJURIES
Physical therapist and Feldenkrais teacher, Deborah Darr*, offers 6 suggestions for violinists who are serious about avoiding performance-related injuries. .... Read more.
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STUDYING MUSIC IN EUROPE
A Conversation with Brianna Smith, Violinist - Vienna, Austria
Ms. Smith completed her B.M. degree in Violin Performance at the University of Illinois, studying with Sibbi Bernhardsson - violinist in the Grammy Award winning Pacifica String Quartet. Interested in following a less traditional and more adventurous route for graduate school, Brianna moved to one of the centers of classical music in Europe - Vienna.
Q: What are the advantages of studying in Europe?
A: For the price of about 300 Euros a month, I receive 2-3 lessons a week, perform at least once a month, rehearse with my teacher and a pianist, and play in the Konservatorium Orchestra. If I chose to, I could also participate in chamber music for no additional cost, but right now I am focusing on solo repertoire. Compared to the cost of education in the States, this price is considerably more affordable. In addition, you have major orchestras from all over the world coming to perform at the Musikverein or the Konzerthaus every week with opportunities for cheap student tickets, and opera standing tickets for only 3 Euros. ... Read the full article
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