Which Olympic fiddle feat should be part of the Games?

July 27, 2012 at 9:23 PM

With the Olympic Games beginning in London this week, I can't resist an "Olympic" vote!

We know that playing the violin requires a certain kind of elite physical and mental fitness. Shouldn't there be a few events for fiddle players (besides playing 'Chariots of Fire' with Mr. Bean?)

Here are a few ideas, please vote for the one that you like most, then let us know if you have any ideas for other "events"!

From marjory lange
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 1:16 AM

I voted for Paganini because the Olympic events I prefer watching combine physical skill and great beauty--of the options offered, Pag. seems most likely to offer that combination--technical prowess and musical insight.

From Anne Horvath
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Complete Bruckner Symphonies Marathon.

From Richard Watson
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:27 PM

Sight performing!

From Francesca Rizzardi
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Not long ago, a string trio (I believe) performed while dangling from a high wall in Oakland, California. Maybe string quartet bungee jumping?

From Laurie Niles
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 5:22 PM

Here's a little public service announcement, if you liked the music at the Olympic opening ceremonies, they've already made it available digitally. Here's the link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/isles-wonder-music-for-opening/id548469988

From Laurie Niles
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 5:22 PM

Here's a little public service announcement, if you liked the music at the Olympic opening ceremonies, they've already made it available digitally. Here's the link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/isles-wonder-music-for-opening/id548469988

From Ellie Phillips
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:44 PM

Some sort of cadenza competition would be pretty awesome too. Wait – I have it: cadenza writing. Write a cadenza to a well-known violin concerto (I'm thinking Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, maybe?) and perform it.

From Paul Deck
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 10:01 PM

Synchronized Suzuki Tunes -- played by the Women's Gymnastics Team.

From Peter Kent
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 1:32 AM

Ala Olympic swimming, how about playing all the Bach Unacc Suites, then switching sides/strokes and doing 'em Lefty...with a centered chin-rest so many of us are using, there might be a slight dip in musical quality but if Rifka Mandelkern could do it, so should we ! (She did use a violin with reverse construction...bass bar, string set-up, sound-post, fingerboard planing, etc...she was a concert violinist in the Buffalo Phil that after losing some right hand fingers, "reprogrammed" well enough to resume an orchestral and solo career...I heard her do the Beethoven and Brahms Double in Lefty mode)

From Willard Morris
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 1:36 AM

How about the long bow? Kind of like the zen of violinympic events where the competitor sustains a single note (or doulbe stop) with a single bow stroke (up or down?) for the longest time possible without loss of good tone(judges call).

From Alan Johnson
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 2:43 AM

I vote for Hora Staccato, with upbow and downbow spiccati, a la Heifetz.

From marjory lange
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 4:17 AM

Would love to see the voting results ...

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 5:34 AM

Laurie, I think this is one of your best-ever weekend votes. I like the long bow competition. I would add listening to the entire Ring Cycle.

From Royce Faina
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM

I love the violins as the Olympic Rings! Realy Cute! :)

From Royce Faina
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:58 AM

Actuallywhat came to my mind for Violnpics it would be something like gymnastics & high diving where the participants are judged on form, tecnique(s)contact points, accuracy, tone, dynamics, etc.

From Mark Roberts
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 4:20 PM

olympics cost four and a half times what it would cost nasa to establish a moon base [daily telegraph 5 april 2010 page 24] and still some professional musicians are being expected to play for free [daily telegraph 7 july 2012 pages R12-R13].

From Bernard Reilly
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 5:26 PM

I think a competition featuring the Barber Concerto, 3rd Movement would make for some good watching. Speed and Accuracy between soloist and orchestra being the main focus =)

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Which Olympic fiddle feat should be part of the Games?

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