French Sizzle

There’s no doubt the French have made a big contribution to the Art of the Violin. But I bet I’ve got a Frenchman in my fingers that would be the envy of almost all of you.

His name is Jean-Joseph Mondonville – how’s that for a name – and he was the talk of Paris in the middle of the 18th century. You know what, I think even the likes of Thomas Jefferson would have known of him, and admired him as a fan might Sting today.

‘So how ‘bout the music,’ you may ask.

I would NOT be guilty of hyperbole if I were to say he was the Tartini of France, or a cross between Rousseau and Paganini.

In other words this is dynamite stuff. Within very stylized and sensual French popular dances is embedded a tremendous variety of technical tricks, including double-stopping, elaborate ornaments, natural harmonics, and quick contrasts in range and dynamics.

When played well each movement has its own unique hypnotic affect similar to ‘Bolero’. On top of that you have sound tapestry that is dazzling in technical complexity.

For you that can’t wait to get your hands of this music, I will say that I am performing his Sonata Op. 4, No. 2.

Kreutzer must have been awestruck listening to this as a lad in Paris learning to play the violin.

He certain intended his 42 Etudes or Caprices to put a player in shape to play this ‘extreme’ music.

And now, for those that don’t have a virtuoso as a private coach – Kreutzer would have thought integral to the process – I have developed my instructional DVD course in 4 volumes, ”Kreutzer for Violin Mastery”.

If you don’t’ have it I assure you that what is inside will take you to a whole different level of appreciation of what it is to play the violin. In other words, it’s more FUN to know what you’re doing!

All the best,

Clayton Haslop