The Violinist
“Dear Mrs Diana,
It has been a long and enjoyable three years with you. You have taught me so much about my playing and about music itself that has helped me grow as a musician. I know that everything that you have taught me will stay with me forever Continue Reading This Post
Where in the world is Diana? Why Beirut of course, Lebanon that is. To be more specific, in the middle of all the action. Go up and to the right you find Syria; go down and there’s Israel. You are probably wondering why I would go to Lebanon at such a tumultuous time (March 2012). Continue Reading This Post
I want to write a few words (more like gush) about my students. I don’t do it often (ever) and it’s a long time coming. I never thought I would be the teacher who got all teary eyed after a student performance so I was caught off guard when things started stirring a little bit. For those of you who have studied with me and know me, Continue Reading This Post
I confess. Being a musician and only a musician my entire life, I have not plunged into the world of politics. That doesn’t mean all musicians aren’t knowledgeable about the subject, but I’m not talking about those smarty pants. I’m talking about me. Yes, of course I know who the President of the United States is, don’t be silly! Continue reading “My trip to Peru”
I’ve always wanted to perform Ludvig van Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata and I finally get the chance to do so this April. How did the pianist and I come up with the program? well, we decided that we wanted to do something fun, so of course, the first thing that popped in my head was the Kreutzer Sonata.
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About a week ago, I thought I would do something crazy. If you know you me you would just roll your eyes and say: “there she goes again.” You might seriously be rolling your eyes at me, even if you don’t know me, at my confession. I went ice skating.
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I had back surgery October 13th, 2010. I’ve never broken a bone, twisted or sprained an ankle, or cut myself so horribly that it had left a scar. Nothing. I have been blessed with being unharmed and healthy my entire life. But then I herniated my disc to the point of rupture and fragmentation which with such enthusiasm it decided to torment the root of my nerve. I have never felt such pain and yet I refused to go to the doctor cause I couldn’t believe there was anything wrong with me. Boy was I in for a surprise. Four months later I had surgery. The reason I bring this up is because I have not practiced, seriously, since my last concert at the Kennedy Center on September 11th.
Continue reading “Getting back to practice”
I came across an article about Anne Sophie Mütter, written by Christiane Rebmann, for the October issue of Strings Magazine. It brought back memories to when I was a child and I saw her play for the very first time. I was electrified. I couldn’t look away. I decided then that I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I’m still trying. Continue reading “Anne-Sophie Mütter”
I play on a David Rapkievian violin who lives in Washington Grove, MD. David has entered violins and violas in three international competitions and has won awards in all three (2002, 2000 and 1982) including the silver medal for tone at the VSA International Competition in 2002. I enjoy playing on his violin because of the rich tone and clarity. Continue reading “One of My Violins”
Has anyone seen the Discovery Channel series How It’s Made? I thought visitors would enjoy their episode on the violin. Click the “read more” button below for the video. According to the wiki on violins, the first violin was a four-string instrument built by italian Andrea Amati in 1555. Close cousins to the instrument date back further — likely to the Byzantine Empire. Continue reading “How Violins Are Made”