March 2008

V.com weekend vote: Do use vibrato when playing Baroque music?

March 28, 2008 23:13

Seems like everyone's all atwitter over vibrato these days.

For example, Jasmine was bummed when her teacher told her she sounded childish for not using vibrato. On the other hand, I started a small storm when I suggested some wiggling during solo Bach.

Honestly, you could probably talk me into either idea, when it comes to Bach. With a nice Baroque set-up and perfect intonation, Bach needs no vibrato. And yet. I always play it on my regular violin, and I always use a measure of vibrato.

So there is theory, and there is practice. I want to know, when you actually play Baroque music, do you use vibrato? And what is your thinking about it? If you use vibrato, do you temper it for the style? Do you use it only on certain notes? Do you play on a Baroque instrument or with a Baroque bow? Do you believe in modern interpretations of Bach? Do you feel the purest interpretation would not involve vibrato?

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22 replies

V.com weekend vote: memorized, or with the music?

March 21, 2008 17:02

I started thinking about this issue years ago, when faced with the question of whether or not to play the concerto by memory for an audition. Behind a screen, you are not generally required to play by memory. The biggest concern is simply whether or not you are comfortable. As much as using the music can seem like a good security measure, I realized that, as well as I knew the piece, I played it better without the music. In fact, having the music there was a bit of a hindrance, just one more distraction.

As a teacher, I've run across the occasional student who has never been asked to memorize anything, and the idea of doing so -- and especially of performing without the music -- is very uncomfortable. Then there's the complete opposite, the Suzuki student who has learned everything by rote, plays everything from memory, and has a very difficult time gleaning anything from a page. (By the way, these days, the good Suzuki teachers DO teach reading.)

Both extremes are problematic, and I would argue that true fluency on the instrument demands both the ability to play it freely, without music, and the ability to read very well.

If you had to perform your best piece (which is not necessarily your current piece) tomorrow, though, would you perform it with the music, or without? And what are your thoughts on the matter? Would you ever break the conventions, and play a sonata without the music? or a concerto with the music?

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8 replies

V.com weekend vote: What is the most stressful thing about giving a recital?

March 14, 2008 23:45

Twice a year I arrange a recital for my studio, and with spring in the air, it's time to do it again. Despite arranging a good number of my own recitals as well as my students, this task remains a large one. First, I have to find a date that is mutually acceptable for both the church where we hold the recital and my accompanist. Then, I have to flog my students for several months, choose pieces for them, make them memorize their pieces a month in advance, remind them at every opportunity to save the date, to invite their friends, etc. Then I prepare the programs, prepare my house for the reception (I forgot to mention the reception in the poll!)...

Back when I gave my own recitals, I learned an important fact about promoting them: if you want anyone to show up at your recital, you need to paper the town with recital posters and started talking it up to every friend and fan you have LONG before you feel comfortable that your performance is ready for prime time. And this, my friends, can be stressful.

Example: You still can't play the last movement of the Ravel Sonata and the recital is three weeks away, and someone says, "I'd enjoy hearing you play. What are you playing at your recital next month?"

Wrong answer: "Oh my God, the Ravel Sonata, it's so hard and I totally can't play the last movement. Right now it sounds absolutely horrible. I'm going to have to practice at least 40 more hours on it and my fingers just may fall off and I'm so stressed out about this recital I think I just might end up in an institution."

Better answer: "I'm going to play the Ravel Sonata -- oh you would totally LOVE it! The last movement is wicked fast, and it's so incredibly fun to play. It fits with the piano in such a cool way, too. I'd be so thrilled if you could come hear me play it! Can you bring you sister, too? And doesn't her best friend play the violin? I'd love to have her along as well! Here's the flyer..."

What, for you, is the most stressful part of giving a recital or performance? Be sure to tell us why, and if it isn't listed, tell us about it in the comments!

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6 replies

V.com weekend vote: Which book of quartets would you keep if you could have just one?

March 7, 2008 16:54

I've been longing to play string quartet music these days, and it's got me thinking about how much literature has been written for this configuration, and how very lucky we are.

Joseph Haydn pretty much created the genre during the 18th century, writing 68 quartets. Haydn quartets can seem deceptively simple; many a string player can read these quartets, few play them well. My first attempt was in high school, and I'm rather glad there's no recording.

Mozart wrote 23 quartets, six dedicated to Haydn. We wedding giggers are very indebted to Mozart for "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," not to mention the Divertimenti that can be played as such. Beethoven wrote 16 strings quartets, and his late quartets (including the Grosse Fugue) are among his most forward-looking compositions, in terms of harmony, dissonance and form.

A few summers ago my quartet worked up a Mendelssohn quartet (No. 1 in E b), and I found it to be immensely satifying music: in turns symphonic and intimate, with challenges for all members. I'd like to explore more of those. And one of my huge unfulfilled longings is to explore the Shostakovich quartets.

My question to you is, if you were being sent to a desert island for the rest of your life (along with your ideal quartet mates!) but could only bring one book of quartets from one composer, which would you choose?

I've included composers who have written either many of quartets, or who have written particular quartets that stand out. Please share your thoughts on your choice, and feel free to talk about any other quartets not listed as well.

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27 replies

V.com weekend vote: What music do you listen to in your spare time?

March 1, 2008 16:54

I love violin music, don't get me wrong. But sometimes, when I hang up the fiddle for the day, the last thing I want to listen to is a symphony or violin piece! At the same time, if the music is too insipid and harmonically repetitive, I'd rather not listen at all.

What kinds of music do you listen to, in your spare time? Do you delve deep into your classical collection, or do you prefer to explore other genres? And would anyone like to help me uncover some exciting new music that I ought to download immediately on my yawningly vacant Ipod? Something that's a pleasant distraction from the classical music I'm always playing but also musically satisfying?

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18 replies

More entries: April 2008 • February 2008