May 8, 2005 at 12:00 PM

Well, for me the competition is over. I have a strange feeling... I planned my life till the competition for years, and have not really thought about what afterwards. But I'll have plenty of time to figure it out. Today is the first the of the rest of my life!!! :-)

I can't say I am not dissapointed, in fact I really am. But I had (after Paganini) fun on stage, something which has never happened during a competition. I am normally way to involved in "not making mistakes". Ofcourse, on the 4 hour trip back to my parents home in Holland, I have played every single scenario of what I could have done different and what was not good enough. And honestly, there are still some things I can work on ;-)
I am tempted to want to go to another competition, but it would probably be "to show other people", which I don't think is a very healthy aproach for me, so for now I am going to concentrate on just my concerts, finding a place to live etc.

Competitions are a funny thing. Sometimes I think I play bad and I end up winning a prize, other times I feel somewhat good and I am gone after one round. Also when I listen this happens; Some people that I truly find to be very good musicians have not passed at this competition. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing! Bracha Malkin is a true musician, beautiful tone and her playing is very imaginative, same goes for Susie Park, Yura Lee, Natalia Lomeiko, and many others. The choices the jury made are not mine, although I do understand it upto a certain extent. But in the end the audience will decide who is going to be on the stage, and I know that many who were not passed, will be household names in the violin world, if they aren't already.

Thanks for all the good vibes, it definetly helped, I had a very good time. And now, I get to take a little break before I am on my way for concerts in Estonia, Switzerland, Holland, etc. Believe it or not, but I get to play the Four Seasons for the first time! I must be the only 26 year old violinist who has not performed it yet!

Greetings,
Carla

From Pieter Viljoen
Posted on May 8, 2005 at 5:45 PM

Congratulations Carla, making it so far is a wonderful achievement in itself. It was interesting to read your various blogs about the competition.

All the best for your future.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on May 8, 2005 at 6:15 PM

Carla, congratulations on making it as far as you did in the competition. I'm glad that you enjoyed playing this time. I'm sure that you will have lots of beautiful performances in your future.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on May 8, 2005 at 8:19 PM

When do WE finally get to hear you?

From Laurie Niles
Posted on May 9, 2005 at 6:21 AM

Congratulations, Carla! To be in such a competition and to enjoy it is quite an accomplishment!

And about the Four Seasons, though it is so ubiquitous, it's actually a rather virtuosic piece, in its way. I recently watched a good friend (and fine musician) play this piece, and I so enjoyed it. Much more there than I had remembered. So keep having fun!

From Carla Leurs
Posted on May 9, 2005 at 7:21 AM

Thanks for all the supportive comments. I am just going on with my work, enjoying practicing and playing concerts. I'll keep everybody updated on where my next concerts are!
But for now I am going to enjoy the 4 DVD's I just rented and sleep for the rest of the week :-)

From Evelyn Ray
Posted on May 9, 2005 at 10:08 AM

Hey, not everyone even gets the opportunity. Way to go. I admire all the effort that you put into it. I'm sure you have a bright future.

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May 8, 2005 at 12:00 PM

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