Violinist.com

Dec 30, 2024 | violinist.com

Bored on a plane Sunday as I came home from a Christmas trip to the Midwest, I scrolled through dozens of movie and documentary options offered me by Delta airlines and finally decided on one that looked interesting: <a href="https://youtu.be/AfFF-PP78iA?si=IiCpWRTnEN2IdL8i">Jimmy Carter, Rock & Roll President</a>. When I learned, about four hours later, that the 100-year-old former U.S. President had died that very day - probably as I was watching that documentary, I marveled at the coincidence. The documentary that I watched (and highly recommend) illustrates Carter's close relationships with musicians Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, and his love for rock, country, folk, gospel and more. It shows how Carter's successful presidential campaign was bolstered very publicly by groups such as the Allman Brothers Band, by Dylan, Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, John Denver, and others. But it is worth nothing that Carter's musical affinities ran much deeper, that he truly embraced all music. The documentary does not discuss Carter's relationship with classical music, which ran very deep. This was a man who met Shinichi Suzuki, and who by his own estimation listened to classical music up to 10 hours a day while working in the White House. This was reflected in his policies - the National Endowment for the Arts budget was doubled during his administration.

Dec 25, 2024 | violinist.com

As I spend time with family this holiday season, I have been thinking about the way that music connects us in our traditions, to our past, and to each other. For example, "The Nutcracker." Every time I hear it, a myriad of past experiences play in my mind, often at the same time as I'm creating new memories. Do you have music that does this for you, especially at this time of the year? My first memory of the Nutcracker makes me smile. It goes back to being a waltzing "Flower," as an eight-year-old. No, I wasn't in an actual production of the Nutcracker, I was just taking ballet lessons at the local recreation center, and for their winter production, my class danced to "Waltz of the Flowers." We had costumes - my grandmother made the sheer "full-circle skirt" that would go over a white leotard and tights - some girls had a pink one, others had blue. Mine was blue. If I twirled very vigorously it would spin out from my waist in every direction. This was very thrilling. I was not meant to be a ballerina, or even a moderately competent dancer. But I sure loved twirling around to that beautiful music. The choreography from that my one experience remains in my bones - a little part of me still does a jumping arabesque inside when I hear it. That production, however, was my last. It coincided with my decision to try music, and my mother informed me that I didn't have time for both. "I'm quitting ballet so that I can play the violin," I told my teacher. She didn't miss a beat with what seemed to me like an impossibly optimistic prediction: "Maybe some day you will be <i>playing</i> 'Waltz of the Flowers' on your violin!" she said.

Oct 14, 2024 | violinist.com

On Wednesday violinist Hilary Hahn accepted both the "Recording of the Year" and "Instrumental" awards at the 2024 Gramophone Classical Music Awards in London. Both awards recognized her <a href="https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20237/29684/">album of Ysaÿe’s solo violin sonatas</a>, released in 2023 on the Deutsche Grammophon label. "I’ve had a summer of recovering from a nerve injury, and knowing that people can hear the music when you’re not on stage is so meaningful," Hilary said. "Recordings allow people to be heard as musicians, as composers, as performers even when we’re not in the same room. That connection with the audience becomes very personal as the people listening are choosing to listen and they’re inviting that music into their lives." "Never before in the history of the Gramophone Classical Music Awards has a solo album with a melody instrument been recognized with the main prize," said Deutsche Grammophon President Clemens Trautmann. "And, even more gratifying, Eugène Ysaÿe was the teacher of Hilary’s teacher, so this award-winning album might be her most personal to date, telling a unique story of mentorship and musical identity. " Hilary was not the only violinist who was honored; Isabelle Faust also received the "Concerto" award for her recording of Britten's Violin Concerto, and the "Chamber" award alongside Anne Katherina Schreiber, Antoine Tamestit, Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov for their recording of Schumann's?Piano Quartet and Quintet. Here are all the 2024 Gramophone Classical Music Awards:

Jul 2, 2024 | violinist.com | Byron Stripling

Violinist.com - News & Advice - NewsI love the controlled chaos of a good pops concert - the colored lights, the handwritten music, the random stories, the guest musicians and dancers - the stars. No matter how professional the team, the element of chaos is always there, like a beloved, ultimately trustworthy - but slightly off-kilter - friend. The lack of predictability feels both thrilling and a little risky.

May 18, 2024 | violinist.com

Behold a piece of "classical violin music," created by Artificial Intelligence, that actually sounds pretty authentic: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQ6ITnYAIok?si=mcFlgXG44cSq7KUH" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> Violinist <a href="http://www.kurganov.org/">Daniel Kurganov</a> - who has a wonderful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DanielKurganov">Youtube channel</a> - used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create this music, and it's caused quite a stir in the time since he posted, it several weeks ago under the title "Did AI Just Kill Classical Music?" What are your feelings about this piece that Daniel created, and furthermore, what are your feelings about emerging AI technology and its possible effect on classical music? Is AI something that could enhance what we are doing as musicians and music lovers? What is the potential? Or is it a threat to musicians, artists and the human creative spirit? Or perhaps it is something in between? Please participate in the vote, and then share your thoughts on this subject. <iframe src="https://www.violinist.com/poll.cfm?question=671" frameborder="0" height="190" scrolling="auto" width="450"></iframe>