Remembering Kató Havas, Pioneer in the Ergonomics of Violin-Playing, 1920-2018

January 15, 2019 at 09:44 PM · In the picture she seems to be using a shoulder rest.

January 15, 2019 at 11:48 PM · I took Kato Havas,s 12 lesson course in London in 1975.

She taught me much about posture and relaxation, and one exercise ,to put one,s consciousness in the correct place, was to play with a scarf covering the eyes. This was new and not easy for me , but certainly did away with some old habits.

I found much more ease in performing on both violin and viola and adjusting to the different size, after applying her method.

I remember her long lessons being interesting and alive,and to make her point,she wrote in my notebook with huge writing.

I attended 2 of her Dorset Summer Schools which were also very inspiring.

I am very grateful for what I received from Kato Havas and use many of her principles in my teaching.

From Marian Stronach (Itinerant string teacher)

Napier.

January 16, 2019 at 12:07 PM · This woman had a huge impact on my playing and I am forever grateful!

January 16, 2019 at 04:27 PM · Kato Havas in a strange (but wonderful way) was instrumental in helping repair my damaged brain as a result of a car accident in 1994.

I found a copy of her book 'A New Approach to Violin Playing' and that set me on a long path to a recovery. Along with her other books and attendance at many workshops in Oxford I have found and retained a beautiful tone.

I have played outdoors in a street in Inverness Scotland and outside a locked field in Ireland just to prove that fright can be managed if the music comes first and you enjoy the occasion. Yes I have played indoors at churches and folk clubs in England and Ireland.

I and my wife (Josie) have been blessed with Kato's patience and guidance, and I thank God for Kato's presence; may Kato Havas OBE Rest IN Peace.

Stewart H Holder

January 17, 2019 at 07:38 AM · Although never having had opportunity to meet, listen to nor hear Kato Havos in concert, this is hardly the appropriate place nor Time to comment on various aspects of her own Approaches to issues of performance & its preparation, but I do know she possessed special abilities to inspire string pupils to Reach Up to improve their playing skills with panoramic overview's of the human physique of each individual and with a general psychological 'slant' ~

Her great Age allowed her work to span generations and must certainly have propelled her spirit and the continuance of her 'Mission' greatly forward into the Twenty First Century following her 'climb up' to prominent 'residence' as a prime advocate of relaxed performance minus terrors of the Mind ~

The conference of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by HRH The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, upon Kato Havas, in the latter Chapter's of her Teaching Life serves as an exemplary highlight of public honour accorded Ms. Havas, which shall be forever aligned to her work in harmony with aspects of Lord Yehudi Menuhin, the most decorated of naturalized British musicians and 'subject' of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in England's Crown of Jeweled artists and music educator's by his side ~

My sincere condolences to All pupil's of Kato Havas around the globe who now mourn her Earthly passing ...

Elisabeth Matesky

American Violinist/ Teacher - Carrier of the Heifetz - Milstein Violin Playing Tradition & Legacy

January 17, 2019 at 04:49 PM · I am so sad to hear, that Kato has died, though happily at a ripe old age. I have had the privelege of having her tuition and her inspiration. Remember the lovely years of her summerschools at St. Edmund's Hall in Oxford. I have faithfully carried her tuition with me and it will stay with me all of my life. - Thankfully Kato's work, inspiration and JOY OF PLAYING will live on. With deep respect, Jennifer Maude

January 17, 2019 at 11:14 PM · I'm immensely grateful to Kato Havas because, thanks to her teaching and friendship, now I can play solo in whatever situation and enjoy it. I used to be extremely nervous, like the great majority of musicians although they don't admit it. I studied at Milan (Italy) conservatoire, which is considered a very good school, but in the end I didn't feel confident. I read her book Stage Fright, then I translated it in Italian and later the other two books of hers. Then I moved to Oxford to study with her and I'm still there, and I'm going to say goodbye to her for the last time at her funeral.

I teach the Havas New Approach because I have seen the huge difference it can make to players of all levels.

Way too many players have benefited from her teachings in secret, without acknowledging her (as the article in The Strad says), which is really unfair. Now everybody talks about musicians' injuries and stage fright elimination (but not 60 years ago) and many concepts of hers have become "public domain". She ways way ahead of her time.

Nobody is perfect but, among the many famed teachers I met and asked for advice, she was the one who was able to help me regain confidence in my playing. It is high time that more players admit how they were helped by her.

I am convinced that her teaching and her philosophy will always be valid and increasingly important to help musicians play without suffering, being able to express themselves and communicate more easily through music, improving the lives of musicians and their listeners, that is, everybody.

January 18, 2019 at 07:34 AM · For dear Monica Cuneo ~

Revisiting the Comments from various Violinists writing in here on Violinist.com, and from core violinist colleagues of mine from the Leader of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic; a Lead 2nd

Violinist of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra & former Principle Second Violinist of the Bergen Philharmonie, who recorded the Sibelius' Seventh Symphony under Neemi Jarve, emailing me he's had Kato Havas's Book, Stage Freight, which helped him greatly in teaching his pupils, I read your emotional & beautiful Tribute to Kato Havas, with true empathy, knowing myself how it felt & still feels when losing one's great friend and mentor ~ A calm 'balance' of one's inner security is thrown side-ways in indescribable words and emotional 'vertigo' sets in ... The once comforting equilibrium of knowing you can hear your assuring mentor's voice, shakes one's balance up as surreal reality that the person has 'left' overwhelms and may remain so for quite some time ~

Upon losing my beloved father-principle teacher, then Mentor, Sascha Lasserson, followed by Mr. Heifetz, and ultimately, my

great friend & mentor, Nathan Milstein, this World turned way upside down which one grappled with in attempts to come to terms ~ aka, Life Without & for you, without your friend mentor, Kato Havas, for whom your musical heart will forever mourn & yet with time, shall later weep with gratitude of the divine ~

So struck by your stark words, '... and I'm going to say good bye to her for the last time at her Funeral', a Note of Sympathy & Condolences is pouring forth ... Let a Tear of Notes come for it/they are necessary expressions of genuine loss & mourning for a treasured person who opened your world of possibilities up for you and believed in you! Know that every time from this day forth, when you share lessons learned & phrases uttered by Kato Havas to you, all are signs of her immortality which shall never depart your soul and will live here on Earth to be entrusted to numerous others the rest of your Life . . .

From America ~

Elisabeth Matesky (Violinist)

I used to love training it up to Oxford from Paddington on short phone call notice to make music in Oxford with true blue music lover's attending Brasnose & Magdalen Colleges, Oxford!

January 19, 2019 at 04:38 PM · I've said before that I had six violin teachers -- from childhood till I finished the degree program. In reality, I had seven -- I count Kató Havas among them.

Although I never met or studied with this lady in person, her teaching has been part of my musical life for a long time. I purchased a copy of her above-referenced book, A New Approach to Violin Playing, while I was still in school -- and right away found it logical and practical.

January 22, 2019 at 03:38 PM · There is an audio recording with a transcript of an early interview in which Kato discussed her New Approach to Violin Playing and Stage Fright.

It can be found at ----

www.beyondstagefright.com

Stewart