All the Passion, and Solid as a Rock
Greetings from Newark airport. Last night I completed the last of my performing duties at the Vermont Mozart Festival by playing the Mendelssohn Concerto, in picture-perfect conditions, on the grounds of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
Yes, the same Trapp family of ‘The Sound of Music’ fame.
After leaving Austria the family eventually settled under the shadow of Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield, where they established a thriving world-class resort.
One of the Grandsons of Baron von Trapp was present for last night’s concert.
As I walked off-stage, the conductor, a fine maestro by the name of Peter Leonard, embraced me with genuine warmth, and exclaimed, “You are a true artist. You play with all the passion and yet are solid as a rock.”
Obviously, I was very touched by the compliment.
But the fact remains that what I’ve accomplished in music is the result of being ever on the lookout for better ways of doing things and for new sources of inspiration. I haven’t sat on my backside for the past 25 years thinking, ‘Yup, studied with Milstein, guess I know it all now.’
Can I still improve? You bet. One of the beauties of the violin is its inexhaustible depth. I love it.
I can say, however, that in the course of it all I have found some sure-fire practice techniques and playing fundamentals. They’ll get the job done in just about ANY circumstance.
In seven appearances in five days – one sprung on me with just 90 minutes notice – the venues ranged from a sweltering dry-docked ship, to a windy open-sided tent, to a stage under the stars, to a cavernous gymnasium.
The repertoire was as varied as the venues – two Mozart Concertos and his Symphony #32, led by me without conductor; the Mendelssohn Concerto; Milhaud, Piston, Bach, and Handel Sonatas; several Paganini Caprices; Ferdinand the Bull (violin unaccomp. whilst narrating the story); Bartok’s “Roumanian Folk Dances”; and the “Marriage of Figaro” and “Gondliers” as concertmaster.
And, of course, each performance had rehearsals as well. I was quite literally playing from morning ‘til night for 7 days.
The experience was a true test of not just my endurance and the way I play, but of the way I prepare as well.
Happily, I am more certain than ever of the value imparted in both the Kreutzer for Violin Mastery and Paganini for Violin Virtuosity, Vol. 1 courses.
By the way, have you seen “Ratatouille” yet? Got to listen out for the violin solos when you do. It’s a wonderful film. Pixar’s best so far.
