Sfz_02_Cover 3/3/06 4:52 pm Page 1

WIN

> GIG BAG FROM RITTER

SSffA forcez forz young string players CARBON-FIBRE BOW FROM ARCUS

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? six suggestions for a fantastic career after college GIG BAG ROUND-UP the convenient way to travel with strings ClaudioBohórquez South America's super-cool cellist meditates on his rise to stardom CHRISTIAN STELLING

supplement to April 2006 issue theStrad Sfz_02_Contents 3/3/06 4:09 pm Page 3

If you’re into meditation and music, then you'll love this issue’s cover star – Claudio Bohórquez,

J. HENRY FAIR who has thought much about the connection between them. The South American cellist defines himself as a Buddhist and has a laid-back approach that’s refreshing in today’s frenetic musical world. It also seems to have Contents helped him to cope with his busy schedule, no bad thing. Meanwhile fellow cellist [3] KNOW IT ALL? Test your string Denise Djokic found a different way to knowledge with our quiz 4 create space for herself and took a month [ ] NEWS it’s all change for the Australian String Quartet, while out of her schedule to learn Prokofiev’s two youth hit trouble Symphony-Concerto, as she describes [6] COVER STORY CLAUDIO BOHÓRQUEZ on our back page – a great idea if you the South American cellist with a can afford the time. charmingly laid-back attitude Elsewhere we’re in the thick of things, [12] CAREER MOVES finding the perfect with a feature on today’s young stars job after college who have plugged in their instruments to [16] PUMP UP THE VOLUME find out forge a music career. With rock, hip-hop who’s making waves in the world and all featured, they’re really taking of electric strings electric strings in a dynamic new direction. [18] WIN a top-of-the-range Ritter gig bag And while we’re on the subject of careers, [20] ON THE MOVE a round-up of padded don’t miss our feature on page 12, gig bags for all stringed instruments which shows just how many options [24] MY MONTH young Canadian cellist there are out there for bright young Denise Djokic music graduates. [25] WIN a fine Arcus carbon-fibre bow Naomi Sadler Editor-in-Chief Sfz> Editor-in-chief Naomi Sadler Editor Amanda Holloway Sfz, The Strad, Specialist Media Ltd, 30 Cannon Street, Design & Art Direction Kelly Al-Saleh & Alex Cameron London EC4M 6YJ, UK email [email protected] tel +44 (0)20 7618 3456 tel +44 (0)20 7618 3095 fax +44 (0)20 7618 3483 Advertising Gordana Kalli, Duncan Brown, Tom Byford, www.thestrad.com/sfz Emma Newton © Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd 2006. Published by the Email [email protected] Orpheus portfolio at Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd, Tel +44 (0)20 7618 3474 part of Newsquest Media Group – a company. Publisher Hannah Pilgrim Morris The Strad is a registered trademark Production Nikki Easton, Evelina Beckers

[1] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_Quiz 3/3/06 4:07 pm Page 3

SOYOU THINKYOU KNOWYOURSTUFF… How much do you know about your instrument and the people who play it? Test your string knowledge with our quiz

QThere’s rosin dust caked under &The highest price ever paid for AOn what part of your instrument or 1 the strings of your instrument. 3 a at auction is: 8 bow would you find a ‘ferrule’? What’s the best way to get rid of it? a) $4,000,550 a) frog a) white spirit on a soft cloth b) $950,300 b) b) don’t do it yourself – take it to c) $2,032,000 c) pegbox aprofessional d) $1,704,000 c) chip it off gently with a palette knife How many performances on average d) don’t let it build up in the first place, always How do you tell a Stradivari from 9 does Nikolaj Znaider play each year? wipe gently before putting instrument away 4 a Guarneri ‘del Gesù’? a) 60 a) the scroll b) 150 Can you match the famous faces b) the f-holes c) 90 2 to the hands? c) the arching How often should you have your a 1 Which violinist below gave the 10 bow rehaired? 5 premiere of which violin concerto? a) every month or two 1) Brahms b) twice a year 2) Beethoven c) every two years 3) Tchaikovsky 4) Sibelius HOW DID YOU DO? Give yourself a point b 2 5) Elgar for every correct answer [11–18] Well done! You know all about a) Viktor Novácek your instrument. But maybe you should b) Franz Clement get out more c) Adolf Brodsky [5–10] Pretty darned clever, and not c 3 d) Fritz Kreisler too nerdy e) Joseph Joachim [0–4] Hmm, hope you can actually play your instrument – you don’t seem to How many works did Beethoven know much about it 6 compose for string quartet?

d 4 a) 15 [a] player professional a for but use, on depends 10 [c] [c] 9

b) 19 frog the from out passes

[a] – it’s the metal that clamps the hair as it it as hair the clamps that band metal the it’s – [a]

c) 17 8

can’t agree! can’t

could be any of them, musicologists simply simply musicologists them, of any be could 7

[b]

What was the name of the 6 [1e] [2b] [3c] [4a] [5d] [4a] [3c] [2b] [1e]

7 medieval ‘ancestor’ to the violin? 5 all three are correct are three all

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a) da braccio 2005 April York, New c], for the ‘Lady Tennant’ Strad, at Christie’s Christie’s at Strad, Tennant’ ‘Lady the for c],

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[d], but if it needs more help, definitely [b] definitely help, more needs it if but [d], c) rebec 1 MARK WOHLRAB, AKIRA KINOSHITA, STRINGS IN THE MOUNTAINS, ALEXANDRA VOSDING, SHEILA ROCK, THOMAS MULLER/WARNER CLASSICS ANSWERS QUIZ

[3] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_News 3/3/06 4:47 pm Page 4

N EWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS.. TANKSTREAM TO BECOME LIVING AUSTRALIA’S OFFICIAL THE STRING QUARTET FANTASY All-female quartet steps into shoes of disgruntled ASQ members. Amanda Holloway reports BENJAMIN EALOVEGA

ASPIRING SOLOISTS ARE always longing for a major new concerto to show off their talents. Mats Lidström is producing just the thing for cellists with attitude. Inspired by Sarasate’s ‘Carmen’ Fantasy for violin, Lidström is writing a 30-minute Fantasy for and , based on OREYKTEHARLEY KATIE COURTESY Verdi’s Rigoletto. He’s dedicating it to his cello students at the Royal Academy of Music. Lidström has happy THE AWARD-WINNING YOUNG we couldn’t sustain the ASQ to continue, ‘and then out of the memories of playing in the Tankstream Quartet has been as a business. And the ASQ looks blue this came up. It’s made opera as principal cellist in named as Australia’s national after its players – they stay in things a whole lot easier!’ Stockholm’s Royal Opera chamber ensemble. From 2007 five-star hotels nearly every- The Tankstream players, Orchestra. At first he hesitated it will take on the title the where, and there are always who won first prize in the Eighth to tinker with a masterpiece. Australian String Quartet (ASQ). gaps between tours for rest International String Quartet ‘Then I thought of the The Tankstream players, and relaxation.’ Competition in Cremona and countless others writing Rowell and Anne Horton,, Tankstream leader, violinist second prize in the Premio Paolo paraphrases on Donizetti, Sally Boud, viola, and Rachel Sophie Rowell, describes it as Borciano Competition in June, Weber or Bellini,’ he said. Johnston, cello, will be the ‘a fabulous opportunity. This is are currently based in Cologne, Lidström hasn’t modified ninth incarnation of the ASQ, like a dream come true for us, to where they are being mentored Verdi’s tonal language. which was founded in 1985 and be a full-time string quartet and by the Alban Berg Quartet at ‘The only major changes, is still Australia’s only full-time to make a living out of it.’ She the Hochschule für Musik. Two besides my introduction, nationally touring string quartet. said they’d reached the stage of recordings on ABC Classics are are that I’ve made one of The former members of the wondering how they were going due to be released this year. the arias into a cello sextet ASQ resigned last year, after and incorporated Liszt’s complaints about the gruelling Rigoletto paraphrase!’ schedule. Violinists Natsuko NEW USE FOR BAD VIOLINISTS? He’s not sure how many Yoshimoto and James Cuddeford POLICE FORCES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES ALL of his students will be rushing and violist Jeremy Williams also over England are adopting a new deterrent for teenage gangs – to play it. ‘My wife asked me criticised the ‘management’s a black box which sounds like a badly played violin. Adult ears can at an early stage not to make continued reluctance to barely detect the high-pitched noise emitted by the Sonic the cello part too difficult. implement the clear artistic Teenager Deterrent, but youths find it so painful that they have But I’m not one to take the direction shown by us’. to leave the area immediately. Shop owners can control the easy option!’ Now Lidström But manager Stephen Block signal strength as the problem of loitering youth ebbs and flows. has to finish composing the says it’s an economic necessity With so many musicians out of work, however, why not music and learn it himself, to tour the cities and rural areas employ a soloist or a whole string section to play badly? in time for the premiere of Australia. ‘Without the tours in Sweden on 27 April.

[4] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_News 3/3/06 4:47 pm Page 5

..NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS

YOUTH ORCHESTRA LOOKS WHAT’S FOR CASH INJECTION THE FUTURE OF THE POPULAR Queen’s University, Sir George HOT Ulster Youth Orchestra (UYO) is Bain, has been called in to in jeopardy, after the discovery restructure the organisation. of a major funding crisis. Orchestra chairman Tim Kerr said NOTIN THE STRING WORLD The 13-year-old group has he was optimistic that the UYO run out of money, leaving could emerge from its financial [ HOT ] & thousands of young musicians crisis and continue with its This Isn’t For You: a new London club selling modern music to wondering if their tuition and invaluable work. the next generation. Hear Alina Ibragimova or Natalie Clein in concert prospects have vanished DRAMA STRUCK ANOTHER Shoreditch; an hour-long set, then dance the night away. for ever. The cross-community young orchestra when its coach orchestra was founded to provide burst into flames on a journey Shaping up! The Association of British Orchestras has launched the opportunities for Northern back from a concert. Happily the Healthy Orchestra Charter, and Bournemouth Symphony players are Ireland’s young musicians. 41 players of the Louisville Youth having free Pilates classes. Taking care of yourself – it’s so now. A former vice-chancellor of Orchestra escaped unhurt. Congrats to Nigel Kennedy – still the best-selling classical virtuoso at 50. Now he’s gone back to his real name, we’re so glad we can call him Nige again!

Beer to fund student scholarships? St Peter’s Brewery is sponsoring the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s student outreach programme. Cheers! MAREN BORCHERS ALSCHOENDORFER/REX KARL Online music at your fingertips – we love having a whole week to catch BBC radio Need ideas for publicity shots? A bike’s the thing for Hyperion programmes on the web.

cellist Alban Gerhardt, bent on selling his new Shostakovich CD FEATURES LATEST STRING PRODUCTS [ NOT ] Shovelfuls of Shostakovich. Masses of Mozart. Aren’t we all bored by anniversaries of composers’ births, deaths and first communions?

Antiqued violins. What’s the point? If it’s new, it’s new. Let’s not pretend it isn’t.

Jokes about G-strings – so tacky! You can't adjust the tilt of the The latest violin pick-up from stylish Everest shoulder rest – Shadow Electronics allows it’s designed to be used at an you to ‘mike up’ without ergonomically correct angle – making any alterations to your which also means there are no instrument. The device which, brackets or foot pivots to break. it’s claimed, gives an absolutely Manufactured from high-grade natural sound with zero hum, ABS plastic, it has an extra- mounts under the bridge and thick neoprene foam pad for clips on to the side of the vio- increased comfort. Available lin like a chin rest.The pick-up WWW.FIGLEAVES.COM in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full-size has a standard 1/4” jack audio versions, the Everest shoulder output. The Shadow SH 945 Broken promises: The UK government has cut money for music rest is $14.99. For information, NFX-V Violin Pick-up is £109. services by £4m to £26m and is now giving it directly to schools. see www.olivermusic.com. Information at www.jhs.co.uk. Does that mean goodbye , hello computers?

[5] Sfz> APRIL 2006 CELLO J. HENRY FAIR

For a sought-after international soloist, South American cellist Claudio Bohórquez seems delightfully laid-back in his approach. Shirley Apthorp joins him in a Berlin café to talk about music, and meditation MELLOW

[6] Sfz> APRIL 2006 laudio Bohórquez That’s the first thing. Without breath, no They were taking my cello away. And then has a lot on his plate. music.You need to inhale to actually be able I knew that I just could not stop. I realised His solo schedule keeps to start making music. It is essential not only that I could put everything into this him on the road in Europe, for being alive, but also for being a musician. instrument that I felt, everything I wanted Asia and America, and he’s It sounds simple, but it’s terribly important. to put into words but couldn’t.’ about to head off to the Jerusalem Many musicians are not even aware of their A few years later, the eleven-year-old Chamber Music Festival. As if that isn’t breath. But it’s wonderful when you do Bohórquez found himself a finalist in enough, he’s involved with education discover it, especially as an instrumentalist.’ Germany’s Jugend Musiziert competition. projects, he has an ensemble that plays In fact, it was the human voice that ‘For the first time it struck me that it was all entirely improvised music, and he likes first lured Bohórquez into the world working. I was sent to other competitions, to work with visual artists on new of music. Born in Gifhorn, Germany, to and it became a kind of chain reaction.’ multimedia installations. Peruvian and Uruguayan parents, he was Bohórquez went on to take prizes at It’s a wonder that he has any time the oldest of three children but the last the Czech Radio’s Concertino Praga, the at all to spend at home in Berlin’s hip to take up a musical instrument. Though Youth Tchaikovsky Competition in Prenzlauer Berg, let alone time for lunch. his mother is a pianist and his father Moscow and the International But somehow, Bohórquez gives the a bassoonist, Bohórquez initially displayed Rostropovich competition in Paris. His impression that he has all the time in the no interest in their profession. 1995 victory at the Geneva International world. In person, he cuts a less intimidating ‘My mother tried to teach me the piano, Music Competition was a breakthrough.‘I figure than his glamorous publicity photos. but I really didn’t want to learn. Then she was immediately sent to Tokyo to play with He is a strikingly handsome man, but the started taking me to rehearsals at the opera the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, which was mane of chestnut hair is pulled back into a house where she was working, instead of great, because it opened Asia, where I pony tail and hidden under a red woollen getting a babysitter. I was the only child hadn’t been before. Then there were a lot of cap, protection against Berlin’s February there, and the whole opera house was my concerts here in Germany, and I had the sleet. Bohórquez pulls that hat further playground – I could go anywhere I wanted. chance to play for several conductors.’ down and leads me through the icy streets to his favourite local vegan restaurant. We settle on one of the wooden benches, in a room that radiates steaming You need to inhale to actually soup and kindness. Bohórquez could talk about his new CD of Debussy, Prokofiev and Britten cello sonatas just out on be able to start making music. the Berlin Classics label. He could talk about working with Daniel Barenboim It is essential not only for being or Christoph Eschenbach, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Boston alive, but also for being a musician Symphony or the Tokyo Philharmonic. His list of recordings and engagements is as prestigious as any soloist could wish. ‘They were rehearsing Mozart operas – Like many successful soloists, But first, he wants to talk about meditation Die Zauberflöte, Die Entführung aus dem Bohórquez views competitions with and Buddhist philosophy. Serail, Don Giovanni and so on. I would a healthy dose of pragmatism. It was his ‘In my heart, I define myself as listen to the music again and again, and competition victories that brought him aBuddhist,’he says.‘I’ve been around the then go home and listen to the records, into contact with his teachers, David ideas for a long time, and in many ways it reading the text in the booklet. It was Geringas and Boris Pergamenschikow. makes a lot of sense. But I haven’t taken any fantastic.’At around the same time, his best The latter was to remain his main teacher vows yet. In a way Buddhism has brought friend took up the cello.‘Suddenly I wanted until his untimely death in 2002.‘I am me back to Christianity, too.’ to play the cello, too. My parents were eternally grateful to Boris for his wise, Bohórquez lacks the vehemence quite surprised. Eventually they said,“OK, humorous and all-encompassing, kind way of the fanatic, imparting his ideas mildly. we will give you an instrument, but only on of teaching,’says Bohórquez with feeling. Somehow it fits with his playing, which is condition that you practise every day.” Competitions taught him the discipline pliant and sensitive, and tends to unfold ‘Ofcourse, I immediately agreed. But of learning repertory and performing to with the organic naturalness of speech. a day came when the sun was shining a high level within a short space of time. There’s something undogmatic and and my friends were playing soccer, and ‘Ofcourse every jury member has their understanding about both the man and I thought, I don’t want to practise! I told own opinion, and the person they find the his music. He agrees that there are many my parents,“I really want to play soccer most convincing might not necessarily be similarities between meditation and now.”And they said,“Sure, you can, but the best. Everybody has different taste. Still, music making.‘The kind of meditation then we’ll take your cello away.”I was of course, it’s a good feeling when you win.’ that I practise is very simple, Tibetan so angry! I said,“OK, you can have the In 2000, Bohórquez was to make Buddhist, just focusing on your breath. cello back.”And then I went to my room – his debut with the Chicago Symphony ‘When you improvise, you can do Iremember it really clearly – and within Orchestra under Christoph Eschenbach. the same, also starting with your breath. five minutes I had this strange feeling. Two weeks before the concert, the first >

[7] Sfz> APRIL 2006 sound from the A down to the C string, you FACT B OX have to work constantly. ‘Actually the instrument taught me a lot about my bow technique, about > Born in Germany to Peruvian and vibrato and how to use it. And afterwards

1976 Uruguayan parents I returned to the very beautiful instrument > Begins studies with David Geringas that I’m lucky to be able to play, a 1687

1990 in Lübeck Giovanni Battista Rogeri, which the L-Bank > Begins ten years of study with Boris in Baden-Württemberg has given me for an

1993 Pergamenschikow in Cologne & Berlin unlimited time. It is the complete opposite > Wins first prize at Geneva International – easy to play, very healthy. But playing Music Competition Casals’s cello taught me to look for specific 1995 > Asian debut with the Tokyo Symphony sounds and colours in this cello.’ > Wins first prize and special prize at the Bohórquez uses a Torte and a Lamy International Casals Competition held bow alternately, and strings his cello with by the Kronberg Academy in Germany a mixture of Larsen and Thomastik strings. > US debut with the Chicago Symphony 2000 ‘I almost opted for gut strings. I had playing Shostakovich’s First Concerto some wonderful masterclasses with Anner under Christoph Eschenbach at Ravinia Bylsma, who opened my ears and eyes for > NDR Symphony Orchestra Hamburg how you can actually talk with the cello, debut playing Penderecki not only sing. Every bow can be a syllable,

J. HENRY FAIR and you can really use the right hand to 2001 > NHK Symphony debut playing in NHK Hall and Suntory Hall articulate. It was a key experience for me. > Becomes a BBC Radio 3 And I had some masterclasses with New Generation Artist > Boston Symphony Orchestra 2002 debut under Neville Marriner at Tanglewood If you use gut strings and an > UK debut with a Wigmore Hall recital > Becomes guest professor at Berlin’s orchestra uses steel, it’s like driving Hochschule für Musik ‘Hanns Eisler’ > Los Angeles Philharmonic debut under a VW Golf in a Formula One race

2003 Andreas Delfs at the Hollywood Bowl > Philadelphia Orchestra debut playing Shostakovich under Christoph Eschenbach < International Casals Competition in Steven Isserlis, who also uses gut strings, > Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Germany was to be held. Bohórquez was so I was really tempted to go for it. debut playing Dvo˘rák under wary of damping his Chicago debut with ‘But then making yourself heard above Thomas Dausgaard amediocre competition result, but an orchestra that is using steel strings is > First CD, of Strauss’s Don Quixote Pergamenschikow urged him to enter. difficult. If you use gut strings, it’s a bit like 2004 with the Dresden Philharmonic and He did, and he won. The prize included driving a VW Golf in a Formula One race Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos two years’ playing Casals’s Gofriller cello. against a Ferrari. Not in terms of quality, of (Edel Classics 0017682BC) ‘The first month I couldn’t practise. I was course. It’s just a physical thing.’Bohórquez > CD of Tchaikovsky Piano Trio with just listening to the instrument, looking remains interested in the period instrument for traces of Pablo Casals. But after a month movement, but not inflexibly so. His Lars Vogt and Antje Weithaas, a tribute I became more relaxed about it. repertory interests embrace everything to cellist Boris Pergamenschikow ‘I read a lot about Casals, and one from Bach to Penderecki, Rihm and (EMI 5 58062 2)

2005 thing I kept coming back to was the composers of his own generation. And he > Doha release a benefit CD for the passage where he said that he was not takes his inspiration wherever he finds it. Stupa of the Shambhala Mountain looking for a cello that was nice and ‘I’ve been fortunate enough to work Center in Colorado perfect, like a . He wanted to with some really amazing personalities. > First recital CD of Debussy, Britten and have an instrument that you had to work Daniel Barenboim doesn’t work so often Prokofiev sonatas on. And then I understood what he meant. with cellists, so it was a big thing for me 2006 (Edel Classics 0017832BC) Because the Gofriller is not so easy to play. to play Schumann with him in Chicago. Each string is completely different. The I played for him in Berlin four or five A string is a bit on the edgy side, but bril- times before the concert. It was astonishing. More information at liant, and then the D string is completely He is very direct, and tells you bluntly www.claudiobohorquez.com smooth and soft, and then you have the what he likes and doesn’t like. He said that G and C, so if you want to produce an even I should really feel the physical effort >

[9] Sfz> APRIL 2006 WIN BOHÓRQUEZ’S CD We have ten copies of Claudio Bohórquez’s CD of Debussy, Prokofiev and Britten cello sonatas to give away. For a chance to win one, send an email or postcard marked ‘Claudio Bohórquez’, with your name, address and telephone number, to thestrad@orpheuspublica tions.com or to the address shown on p.1. The first ten entries out of the hat will each receive a CD. Closing date: 31 May 2006

J. HENRY FAIR In October, Doha will collaborate with artist Rebecca Horn to compose music for an exhibition at Berlin’s Martin-Gropius-Bau. Bohórquez has also worked with < that it takes to play an interval that rises with his ensemble, Doha. Fellow trio German painter Klaus-Peter Kirchner on a fourth or a fifth. Barenboim put his members Hayden Kent Chisholm, a performance/art presentation Room for ash tray on the floor, and said,“Imagine a composer and jazz musician, and Pablo Casals,featuring 14 pillars of light, that this is the lowest point. If I put it up Gareth Lubbe, a classically trained violist, texts by Casals, and the Bach suites for here, it takes so much effort. If I put it share his interest in meditation, and the solo cello. The installation toured to even higher, it takes that much more proceeds of their first CD support the Great London, Hamburg and Basel. effort.”It was simple, but it was a revelation Stupa at the Shambhala Mountain Center By the time Bohórquez gets on to his for me. A singer feels the physical effort of in Colorado, a retreat where meditation involvement in contemporary art, we have an interval, but as an instrumentalist you and contemplative disciplines are taught to moved down the road to a slick café for need to be able to feel it, too. thousands of visitors each year.‘What we coffee and decidedly non-vegan sticky cake. ‘Performing with him was one of the do with Doha is free improvisation. It’s not He discusses it with the same open most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. jazz, it’s not Baroque or contemporary, it’s enthusiasm that he accords all of his He gives you space, but within that space just what comes out,’he says.‘At first I was diverse interests. All too soon it’s time to you have to manage. And he gives space reluctant to try improvisation, but once return to the sleet and the mundanities to the orchestra, too. He’s very generous, you jump off the cliff of feeling insecure, of urban traffic. But our encounter leaves but at the same time he knows exactly you discover this ocean that is just endless. a warmth that takes the edge off the chill. what he’s doing. But he has an incredible For a classical musician it’s just wonderful, With the single-minded pursuit of his sense of balance.’ because the responsibility of being an ownmusical and spiritual truths, Another major source of inspiration advocate for a composer is gone, and it’s Bohórquez seems a very long way from for Bohórquez is his improvisational work just interpretation of the present moment.’ the mundane. ■

Claudio Bohórquez plays to Berlin primary school children as part of Rhapsody in School, a programme organised by pianist Lars Vogt. ‘It’s an amazing opportunity to sharpen their senses to experience music,’ he says

[10] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_Careers 3/3/06 2:34 pm Page 12

You’ve graduated with honours, and your parents are bursting with pride. But you know you’re not going to make it as an international soloist. What else is there? Plenty of fantastic opportunities, as Hazel Davis discovers WhenWhen thethe party’party’ s

o, you’ve studied and aptitude within a wide range of areas masterclasses on the subject of accelerated for three years solid, should not be seen as back-up plans but learning and has just finished a publication practised your scales like essential development, not only for earning for children and their parents provisionally nobody’s business and focused a living but also in terms of developing the entitled Cellotude.Lovell has also released all your attentions on becoming self and the musician.’ the Bach cello suites on her own label. the next Lara St John. But the record deal The best musicians are those who have These days for a music graduate it’s never materialises and you find yourself a broad range of interests and skills that much more common to aim for a portfolio looking for an alternative means of earning informs all their activities. Moreover, most CV,one that demonstrates your a living.You should forget about being a of the more successful soloists also combine versatility within the music industry star and get a compromise job, right? Wrong. their playing with other activities such as and the fact that you have left the confines Mark Messenger, head of strings at the teaching or ensemble work. of your study and seen daylight in the Royal College of Music, says:‘This is an One only has to look at Paul Watkins, last year. Considering the fact that only attitude that is held now only by a very few who, in a superb display of multi-tasking, a small percentage of graduates make it “old-school”teachers, who believe in a basic combines critically acclaimed cello playing as professional soloists and a very small hierarchy of values for various activities. with being an internationally renowned percentage of those actually make a decent In this hierarchy, being a soloist comes at conductor and a member of the Nash living, it is vital to ensure that you have the top and then we go down through Ensemble. Says Messenger,‘Good soloists explored the myriad options available to orchestral playing (contract job=good, are almost inevitably good chamber you as a music graduate. freelance=not so good) to teaching, and players, communicators, teachers and Because being a soloist is still held in then (horror of horrors) jobs that don’t are aware of a range of physical and such high regard, few graduates stop to necessarily focus on just playing (education psychological issues as well.’ think about whether they actually have the work,music therapy and so on).’ Cellist Sara Lovell is an excellent example: right personality to make a success of it. Many music students still crave that she is a well-respected soloist and teacher Other jobs have generally accepted guide- elusive solo career as if it’s the be-all and with an elite teaching practice that concen- lines as to whom they suit and whom they end-all and all other avenues are back-up trates on the use of accelerated learning don’t, yet solo performance seems to be an plans. Messenger advises,‘Awareness techniques. She gives talks, workshops and elusive goal open to anyone who can whizz

[12] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_Careers 3/3/06 2:34 pm Page 13

SESSION ORCHESTRAL MUSICIAN MUSICIAN

Joanne Buckland Tom Beer age 24 age 28 freelance violinist and viola player with session musician the Hallé

Where and what did you study? Where and what did you study? ROBERT JUDGES/REX FEATURES BMus RWCMD (violin), Postgraduate Trinity College of Music (BMus), Oberlin Diploma in Music Performance RWCMD Conservatory, artist diploma (violin) How did you get into your chosen field? ss overover How did you get into your chosen field? When I came back to England after my Always wanted to do it, so decided to take postgraduate training, I started auditioning the plunge. Moved to London in July to for pretty much everything. After a fair few really give it a go. job offers and freelancing around for two How competitive is it? years I was invited into the Hallé as an extra through a Paganini caprice. It’s not as simple Incredibly competitive! I was established in player. I auditioned soon after for the as that, says Andrea Spain, professional South Wales and had to leave all of that to number three job. skills programme leader at Trinity College move to London and start all over again, How competitive is it? of Music:‘With so much competition, with more competition. It’s an incredibly competitive career. Just being brilliant does not ensure success as What sort of person does it suit? think of the hordes of musicians leaving a soloist. Luck, self-promotion, fashion and Self-disciplined, strong-willed, very college every year, joining ranks of others being in the right place at the right time can proactive, sociable, slightly from last year and the years before that. all be just as important.’ competitive, ambitious... What sort of person does it suit? Andrea Spain continues:‘Hundreds of What are the perks of the job? As a string player you’ve got to be happy talented string players enter conservatories The variety of work, meeting different being part of a big team.You need to be and universities in the UK each year. people, being able (sometimes) to pick sociable, tolerant, good company. But even With international competition, few if and choose what you want to do, the a cursory glance around any orchestra any will make a living as soloists. However, uncertainty, sometimes the money! would tell you that it’s full of a wide range employment prospects for musicians And the downsides? of characters, like any other job. have never been better. There is unprece- Also the uncertainty! The lack of routine, What are the perks of the job? dented demand for passionate, enthusiastic the fact you need so much self-discipline, The quality of life that having more of musicians with vision and leadership the networking (can be quite difficult), the a routine gives you. And there’s the security skills in smaller ensembles, creative irregular income. of a salary, of course. projects, outreach, education and What’s the best piece of advice And the downsides? community programmes.’ you can give? I’ve only just started, though I imagine the So it’s time to take stock and consider Persevere. It won’t happen overnight. It routine can go from comforting to boring. which of the varied careers available might isn’t easy but if it’s what you really want to What’s the best piece of advice suit you and, more importantly, which do it’s worth sticking at.You have to be you can give? would lead to a fulfilling life in music. strong to cope with knockbacks. To practise hard and not to give up.You’re Here are six string players who have made bound to have some failures, but if you their mark in very different fields. ■ really want to succeed, you will. >

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You have to be prepared to do some < FESTIVAL unpaid work to ARTIST ORGANISER begin with, if MANAGER Alison Povey necessary, Laura Smith 30s age 26 manager and acting to build up assistant artist manager CEO of Huddersfield experience at HarrisonParrott Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF) Laura Smith Where and what did you study? BA in Music, University of Oxford (violin performance) Where and what did you study? How did you get into your chosen field? BA Musicology, Huddersfield University I worked for two years at the Jacqueline (violin and piano) du Pré Music Building in Oxford as How did you get into your chosen field? assistant manager, and then applied for the I completed a module in concert job at HarrisonParrott. management for my degree and realised How competitive is it? that there was far more to music than It’s a difficult field to get into as there are performing! I was a volunteer steward for not many jobs but, like anything, it’s much hcmf for the three years I was a student. easier once you’ve got a foot in the door. What sort of person does it suit? You have to be prepared to do some unpaid You have to be organised, methodical, tidy Idid a module work to begin with, if necessary, to build and able to multi-task.You have to have the up experience. ability to be creative with a small budget, in concert What sort of person does it suit? make links with partner organisations and Somebody who is organised, level-headed be willing to put in the hours when needed. management and able to cope with being moaned at. What are the perks? What are the perks? Sounds corny, but there’s nothing more for my degree If you’re lucky enough to be looking after rewarding than communicating with an friendly artists, it’s great to be able to build artist/composer for a year, sorting out all and realised up a rapport with them. their travel, rehearsal schedule and so on, And the downsides? and then meeting them on the day. there was more There’s some pretty mundane paperwork And the downsides? involved. And sometimes, if an artist is The long hours at times and the never- cheeky or seems to show a lack of respect ending problem solving (although there’s to music than for you, this can be quite disheartening. nothing more satisfying than solving What’s the best piece of advice aproblem with minutes to go!) performing you can give? What’s the best piece of advice Start looking for experience, for example you can give? Alison Povey helping out at a music festival during the Get as much voluntary experience as summer and then write to as many agencies possible. Although the arts admin courses as you can. are excellent, I have learnt far more on the job than in a classroom.

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You experience how powerful music can be MUSIC as a tool to EDUCATION THERAPIST PROJECT enable change MANAGER Oonagh Jones in clients age 31 Katy Dent Greenwich Teaching Oonagh Jones age 31 Primary Care Trust and (from Connecticut, USA) the Nordoff–Robbins project manager for Music Therapy Centre music education and new media projects

What and where did you study? University of Bristol BA (Hons) in music, What and where did you study? postgraduate certificate in performance BMus (Hons) at Edinburgh University (viola) at Trinity College of Music, London. How did you get into your chosen field? Masters in Music Therapy, Nordoff–Robbins I worked as an education manager for Music Therapy Centre, City University. an orchestra, and while I was there we got How did you get into your chosen field? funding from NESTA to devise an online I worked freelance as a viola player and music compositional resource. As a teacher and was involved in music making result I got into the world of educational projects with people with disabilities. new media. How competitive is it? How competitive is it? CAREERS ADVICE The approved postgraduate courses can be The new media industry is very competitive. United Kingdom competitive to get on. There is some NHS However education is an emerging and www.prospects.ac.uk work,but in pockets. There’s a chance to set UK’s official graduate growing part of it, so more education up your own work once you qualify. careers website tech-savvy producers will probably be What sort of person does it suit? Graduate Prospects needed in the industry. A flexible musician with relevant life/work Prospects House What sort of person does it suit? experience. Music therapists work predom- Booth Street East Someone who can think laterally and enjoys Manchester inantly through improvisation so you need the challenge of working with emerging M13 9EP to be open to developing your improvising tel + 44 161 2775200 technologies while simultaneously skills.You must develop insight into your- making learning objectives outlined in the self and your relationships with others. United States curriculum exciting for children! What are the perks? www.juilliard.edu/college/ What are the perks? You experience how powerful music can be career.html The creative side, thinking of new and as a tool to enable change in clients. It can Juilliard Careers Office engaging interactive ideas for the web. 60 Lincoln Center Plaza be a very satisfying job. And the downsides? New York, NY 10023-6588 And the downsides? tel +1 212 799 5000 Technology can also let you down! It can be a very demanding job physically What’s the best piece of advice PICTURE CREDIT IN HERE and emotionally. It can become isolated. www.music-careers.com you can give? Your best piece of advice? Music careers website Get work experience. Find out as much as you can about the job. Most courses hold open days.

[15] Sfz> APRILMARCH 2006 2006 www.thomastik-infeld.com Sfz_02_RockViolin 3/3/06 2:59 pm Page 16

14-year-old rock god Antonio Pontarelli

Look-at-me solos were once exclusive to guitarists, says Amanda Holloway, but plugged-in violinists are stealing the limelight Pump

up the volume nyone who fears the days of the violin are numbered These are children of baby boomers should look at a new breed of string player – the electric rock virtuoso.According to electric who want their kids to play rock pioneer ,this is the future.‘Ever since they discovered electricity, people and roll as well as classical or jazz have been amplifying acoustic instruments. First the guitar, the bass, the piano – Mark Wood and now it’s the turn of the violin.’ Serious string students are discovering Instead, along came the , really serious can buy Wood’s arrow-shaped for themselves the versatility of their and new virtuosos like Jimi Hendrix, solid-body Viper violins, his Cobra cellos, instrument once it’s wired for sound. Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton were born. his pedals and amps, plus his ‘learn to Bright stars are appearing in rock, jazz, And the violin got left behind.’ improvise in easy steps’ system. For more hip-hop, folk – anywhere they can express A Juilliard-trained viola player, Wood information on Wood’s schools programme, themselves without having to wear a tie and not only plays in several rock orchestras go to www.markwoodmusic.com. tails and follow a score. (the colourfully named Van Helsing’s Curse Rock violinists or cellists are not going There’s nothing new about amplifying and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) but also to see off the electric guitar just yet, but stringed instruments for added volume. has a mission to make strings relevant to there’s definitely a future for the genre. There’s also nothing new about strings in children who don’t identify with classical ‘Popular music is so fragmented that popular music. Many a young professional culture.‘These are the children of baby there’s a niche for anything that anyone has worked as a studio session musician – boomers who grew up with Woodstock, chooses to play,’explains music writer the highly professional Electra Strings have who want their kids to be playing rock and Roger Thomas, who lectures in popular backed everyone from Björk to PJ Harvey, roll as well as classical or jazz.’ music at Brunel University. So what are you Peter Gabriel to William Orbit. But thrashy, Wood demonstrates his handbuilt waiting for? Clip on the pick-up, turn up the look-at-me solos have until recently electric instruments to thousands of volume and rock on.You have nothing to been the exclusive preserve of guitarists. schoolkids in the US every week through lose but your neighbours! ■ ‘In the time of Paganini, the violin was his Electrify Your Strings programme. king. It was the virtuoso solo instrument,’ After a testosterone-fuelled show of Led Here we feature six hot young electric says Wood.‘But time passed; there were still Zeppelin meets Vivaldi’s Four Seasons,even string acts, including a trio of Finnish wonderful soloists and orchestras, but apathetic, Grade 2 violinists are queuing to cellists and a Liverpool jazz violinist, strings didn’t really evolve. join a rock strings orchestra. Those who are to inspire you…

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Bobby Yang plays violin like Jimi Hendrix, not Fritz Kreisler

BILLY THOMPSON Born into a musical family in the Wirral, near Liverpool, Billy must be the most versatile fiddler in Britain. He veers from jazz to gypsy, folk to fusion, Celtic to classical, using his classical violin both straight and amplified, switching to a purpose-built electric instru- ment, or even a MIDI-violin. At Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama he took classes with piano legend Keith Tippett. He honed his improvisation skills, reaching the finals of the Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition in 1996 and 1998. He now teaches regular violin improvisation courses at the Benslow ASHA MEVLANA Music Trust in Hertfordshire. Billy plays with BOBBY YANG American-born Asha Mevlana has it all. She’s jazz giant Barbara Thompson’s band Bobby Yang rebelled against his strict just 24, beautiful, a versatile string player with Paraphernalia, and is a key member of world Taiwanese parents by insisting on playing a foot in many camps – acoustic, electric, music band The Amigos. As Amledd, Billy and the violin – like Jimi Hendrix, not Fritz Kreisler! violin, piano – and many styles. Starting violin singer–songwriter Rhian Williams are writing The 27-year-old’s performances are more and viola aged six, she studied with members and producing a Welsh-language pop album. attention-grabbing than those of the average of the Boston Symphony Orchestra before This summer Billy joins Barbara Thompson and violin soloist – he leaps around the stage, doing a music degree at Wellesley College. Paraphernalia for the Never Say Goodbye tour, bending double over the violin and falling to Then she broke out, moved to New York City and in July he tours with The Amigos. his knees under a single spotlight. He doesn’t and ‘plunged into the world of alternative More info at www.billythompson.co.uk rate purpose-built electric violins, because string music’, as she describes it. For a while they’re not responsive enough to cope with she played viola in an avant-garde quartet his highly physical style. Wouldn’t you love to called Invert! Then she put aside her classical have seen the concert in Aspen when he gave instruments and picked up an electric seven- a breakthrough performance of Mozart’s string Viper designed by Mark Wood (see main Violin Concerto no.3 with improvised cadenzas text). Since moving to the West Coast, Mevlana and a last movement cadenza tribute to has performed in Van Helsing’s Curse, Hendrix’s Hey Joe? In the studio he uses the a rock/metal stage show produced by violin to create orchestral layers, composing Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider. She has parts for the cello, viola and violin and then appeared with Alanis Morissette on the performing each part on a separate track to Tonight show, and with another electric create a recorded orchestra. Now based strings band, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. in Atlanta, Yang’s latest CD is called No. 1 Now she’s creating a ‘rock concept’ show, Tribute. Ego? That says it all, really. Goddess Rock, for two Viper violins, taking in www.bobbyyang.com > songs by The Beatles, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses and Ozzy Osbourne and incorporating choreography and multimedia. www.ashamevlana.com

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My violin is my voice. I feel like a rapper when I go on stage Miri Ben-Ari

ANTONIO PONTARELLI Antonio Pontarelli is a precocious 14-year-old talent from California who’s gone down the rock violin route after winning countless violin competitions from age seven onwards. His heroes are probably older than his parents, and are either dead (Jimi Hendrix) or all but forgotten – such as Jethro Tull, with whom he performed last year. Watching the video UNIVERSAL ROCK of this young teenager strutting and thrusting is a little disturbing, but he generates much excitement among the teenage audience as he soars away on his arrow-shaped Viper < APOCALYPTICA violin. He’s played classical repertory on stage MIRI BEN-ARI ‘Heavy cello mayhem’ is what these Scandi with major orchestras as well as jazz bands, Miri Ben-Ari must be the only hip-hop artist rockers produce. A classically trained trio from and has appeared on national television who was recommended for a violin scholarship the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, they’re all and film. He’s obviously a very accomplished by Isaac Stern. Born in Tel Aviv, she spent two heavy metal fans trying to fuse together the musician, in demand as a studio musician, solo years in the Israeli army, then came to New (possibly incompatible?) worlds of classical artist and songwriter. It will be interesting to York to study jazz with Betty Carter. She made music and hard rock ‘while being 100 per cent see how he makes the transition from being her debut in 1999 with the jazz album Sahara, respectful to both camps’. It started out as ‘America’s most talented kid’ to a mature and Wynton Marsalis appeared on her second a bit of fun and quickly picked up a fan base – musician with something original to say. jazz album, Song of the Promised Land. though more metal than musical, we suspect. See him in action at www.antoniomusic.com But once she heard rap, she was hooked. Their first album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, She’s toured with Marsalis and Kanye West, came out in 1996 and sold 800,000 worldwide. and guested with the likes of Jay-Z, Alicia Keys Since then they’ve released four albums, and Wyclef Jean. She released her first album the last of which came out last year, called in this genre, The Hip Hop Violinist, in 2005 – Apocalyptica. Their videos and stage act it includes a hip-hop version of Dvo˘rák’s ‘New feature fire, visions of death and lots of World’ Symphony (presumably just the famous long blond-haired head-banging and frantic bit). Describing her style she says, ‘People tell sawing. The Apocalyptica cellos have me when I play, they don't even think it’s the a tendency to sound like guitars, except in violin. That’s my voice. I feel like a rapper when the more nostalgic numbers, like Bittersweet, I go on stage.’ You can hear her on Reebok’s from the 2005 album. Catch them live at the current ad campaign, ‘I am what I am’. Hellfest in Val de Moine, France, on 23 June. www.miriben-ari.com www.apocalyptica.com

[19] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_Gig-bags 3/3/06 4:15 pm Page 20

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VIOLA : VIOLIN CELLO...

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...& BASS: CELLO & BASS

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[23] Sfz> APRIL 2006 Sfz_02_My Month 3/3/06 2:35 pm Page 24 DAN CALLIS

MOST MUSICIANS CAN TAKE A FEW Ligeti concerto, and performed them in tandem MY MONTH weeks off at this time of year, but I spent four times in eight days around Greater nearly the entire month of December learning Montreal during mid-January. I’d already done Cellist Prokofiev’s Symphony-Concerto, that veritable the Ligeti concerto before, in Mexico City with Mount Everest of the solo cello repertory. Yannick Nézet-Séguin [music director of I knew I was going to be terribly busy for Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain] conduct- DENISE five or six months prior to the performances, ing. While we were in Mexico together, Yannick so I had to tell my manager at least a year in asked me if I’d like to perform the Prokofiev advance that I would need a continuous with him in Montreal sometime. He also DJOKIC stretch of time to learn the work. If I hadn’t wanted me to play the Ligeti again in by Robert Markow done this, I knew I’d never learn it in time. A day Montreal. I accepted on both counts, or two here and there sandwiched between little realising that he meant on the same ‘What did you do for your summer recitals and other engagements programme! Well, I love a challenge, vacation?’ is a topic nearly every just wouldn’t suffice. and embraced the idea wholeheartedly. student gets to write about at The Symphony-Concerto is so strenuous After the Prokofiev and Ligeti concerts that you can easily overwork yourself and Ihave two days free, then I’m off for a series least once in the course of his or develop arm problems. So, for a solid month of concerts in northern Alberta in late January her schooling. But what about I had no performances, no rehearsals, and early February (Brrrrrr!!) as part of a foryour Christmas vacation? no recording sessions, no distractions of any project called Encore Six, which involves Canadian cellist Denise Djokic kind. I spent most of the time at the cottage six musicians who bring to near my home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, remote communities in Canada. Looking down (pronounced JOE-kitch) can answer with a magnificent view of the sea and no the road a bit I have a tour of Germany and that in one word: PRACTICE! excuses not to practise. Hungary with the Franz Liszt Chamber Here’s a fairly typical month for I practised no more than four or five hours Orchestra and a visit to Manaus, that legendary this 25-year-old performer aday, but it was intense. Paradoxically, it was town in central Brazil on the shores of the also relaxing. I was able to get up in the morning Amazon. In other words, lots of travel! ■ and plan just what I wanted to accomplish that day, which was sheer luxury since you Denise Djokic’s latest release with never get that kind of time when you’re on pianist David Jalbert, ‘Folklore’, the road, which for me is most of the time. on Endeavor Classics, has just been As if the Prokofiev alone weren’t enough nominated for a 2006 Juno Award for one programme, I coupled it with the

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