 |
|
|
|
|
A late starter learning to play the violin, here are the inspirations for the journey... See also Growler's Violin - Videos, GrowlersWorld Symphony No.1 - Violin Links and GrowlersWorld Philharmonic Orchestra - Classical Music Links
Went to see an amazing documentary recently in Lewisham, London about the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra called Tocar y Luchar (To Play and to Fight). They hail from Venezuela in South America (next door to Guyana) and this was a scheme to bring classical music and instrument playing to children who didn't have the opportunity to do so before. It would be cool to see that kind of program here in the UK. It bred great results and a Youth Orchestra was born! What impressed me was the passion the children had for playing the instruments and the quality of their music. I was inspired to keep practising and get to their level. Now peforming around the world the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra will be at London's South Bank Centre in April 2009. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. They are also having free rehearsals and I'll definitely be there to check that out. If you haven't heard their music before, here's a little taste. I think you'll like it.
On another note I went to see the Pavao Quartet perform in a free recital (concert) in St George's Church in Hanover Square, London. I was half an hour late but I still witnessed some beautiful music being played on two violins, a viola and a cello. Very nice it was too.
There's quite a few free violin recitals (mini concerts) in various churches around London. Including; St George's in Hanover Square, St James's in Piccadilly and St. Martins in the Fields in Trafalgar Square They also feature other instruments like the piano so if you feel like listening to some relaxing classical music then check them out.
It started with a text from a friend. A free evening violin concert at the Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, London. Performed by violinist Giovanni Guzzo. All classical pieces from Mozart, Brahms and Strauss. Watching an expert play can really teach quite a bit. How they hold the violin and the bow, for example. The old saying comes to mind, "If you want to be the best, you have to be with the best, learn from the best, work with the best and compete with the best." And the concert? Fantastic. Follow your passions, strive for your goals.
A friend from my ELLSO violin school invited me to the annual London Fiddle (Violin) Convention in Camden Town, London. What an experience. This is the first time I've encountered people who can learn a new tune on the violin just by listening to it. I can't do this at all right now. I still need to read sheet music but it's definitely a skill I want to acquire one day. The day consisted of afternoon fiddle workshops taught by accomplished musicians, such as Pete Cooper, Chris Haigh and Ilana Cravitz, who introduced new styles and sounds such as Bluegrass, Klezmer and English Folk Music. Good to hear and see different styles of playing. I liked the jam sessions in the bar where one person would start a tune to be followed by everyone else joining in. You could feel the passion of people who clearly loved playing the violin! Very inspiring to be around. I missed the evening concert but there'll be other events in London so I'll be checking them out. Even though my main love for the violin came from classical music, it was good to have my ears opened to the variety of goodness out there.
Went to a performance of Japanese violinist Taro Hakase on Valentine's Day evening with a friend. He did a set of solo numbers before being joined by members of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Very cool. He had his own style and mixed in a little comedy inbetween playing. I have to say what an amazing sound. The venue of the Cadogan Hall was perfect and amplified the sound to great effect. Taro was accompanied by the pianist Maciej Janas. All in all, I was impressed and inspired with his violin style and technique and I'll be back to hear more. I recommend him highly.
Whenever change happens, it's always best to see it as an opportunity rather than a threat. I always seek to break out of my personal comfort zones and try to make the world my comfort zone!
Seeing some of the greatest ever performers doing their thing enthused me with a passion, and it introduced me to the genius of the late virtuoso violinist, Yehudi Menuhin, who also founded a music school. I learnt so much from that film that I had to get my own copy which I aim to review on a daily basis. Watching this film fits in with one of my life philosophies, if you want to excel at something you must be with the best, learn from the best, work with the best and compete with the best. It's also helping me develop a good and more comfortable way of holding the bow and violin by observing how the greats do it. It's helping my motivation regarding daily practise and I'm seeing and hearing slow and steady progress. All these experiences would never have happened if Ben and I hadn't of decided to meet that day and my life is enriched because of it! I followed up on the experience the next day by having a violin practise session at my place with another friend and fellow student which was also very stimulating and constructive. So, always seek a true meeting of minds with positive and successful people. Sharing ideas is truly a path to the greater understanding of your own goals and desires.
Given my newly rediscovered love of classical music I was impressed by the appearance of a classical music quartet who performed beautifully at the Obama inauguration. The amazing performers were Anthony McGill who played the clarinet; Yo-Yo Ma took the cello part; Itzhak Perlman was the violinist and at the piano was Gabriela Montero. You can see and hear the piece below so sit back and enjoy!
Air and Simple Gifts by John Williams
London Mayor Boris Johnson recently raised a call for people to hand in any unused musical instruments that they may have in their homes so they can be given to schools to help teach kids how to perform in an orchestra. As I've recently started playing the violin with the East London Late Starters Orchestra this is something I see as a positive initiative and will be a very enjoyable experience for school children involved in this. Ive just started my second term and we're learning to read music more intensely. I have to admit that a lot of it does seem like a foreign language but slowly getting to grips with it has been a revelation. For example, how the sounds of the notes make sense when played in a certain sequence (scales) and how they relate to the finger positions used on the violin. It's all good fun and I chose to play the violin because I love the sound of it when it's played well. I fully intend it to be a lifelong journey. It's well worth a go and it's never to late to choose a musical instrument to learn or to do something new.
My violin teacher, Piotr Jordan is in a band called Dunajska Kapelye that plays regularly at The Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, London. I've had the pleasure of hearing him play classical pieces at our recent concert but I'll be attending one of his band's performances for the first time. His infectious enthusiasium makes his classes amazing and great fun so I'm looking forward to seeing him in full flow. Here's a video of his band in action...
|
|
| Connect with and Follow GrowlersWorldH |
[GrowlersWorld Top 20 Charts: Site Statistics] [Privacy Policy, Disclaimers, Small Print and Legal Stuff] [Contact] |
Like
what you see? Leave a Comment... |
GrowlersWorld
™ & © 2003
- 2010 Rawle Austin. All Rights Reserved. Made in Great Britain. |
