WOW! What a fun interview. I have got to say that it was truly a blast to shoot this one! As soon as I walked into the Wood Violin workshop and saw Bridgid sporting a Whitesnake t-shirt, and a spiked belt with a Viper axe under her arm, I knew this was going to be a trip.
In this Sound Post exclusive interview, “Go-To-Girl” of Wood Violins, Bridgid Bibbens, sits down with Ian to talk about how she transformed from being a school strings teacher to violin-rockstar and spokesperson for the Electrify Your Strings program. EYS is a string education initiative founded by Mark Wood, and it is quickly sweeping the nation.
Bridgid also details the process of making one of Mark Wood’s famous Viper instruments (and then proceeds to rock out with a familiar tune from Liverpool, England).
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Posts Tagged ‘violin’
Exclusive Interview With Bridgid Bibbens
Here We Go Again
Mark O’Connor Releases New String Method Books
Suzuki teachers can come out from hiding, it's safe
Famed American fiddler Mark O’Connor has just released the first two installments of his new string method entitled The Mark O’Connor Violin Method. Savvy teachers will quickly find many similarities with the popular Suzuki Method.
Progressive repertoire, heavy emphasis on listening, and the sequential introduction of new techniques are all pedagogical practices which were first brought into mainstream string education by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. His method’s followers will be happy to see that O’Connor’s system has been largely based upon these principles. During an interview with Laurie Niles, editor of Violinist.com, O’Connor acknowledges the similarities between Suzuki’s method and his own:
“I patterned my method after some of the great methods out there, especially Suzuki, because they introduced very young people to a sequence of tunes. That’s something that is also inherent in folk music learning, too.”
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Exclusive: Interview with Susan Waterbury
I had the pleasure of sitting down today with Susan Waterbury, Associate Professor of Violin at Ithaca College. In this Sound Post exclusive interview, Ms. Waterbury talks about the inspiration for her upcoming recital, the experience of collaborating with Jeffery Meyer, and the importance of musicians reaching out into their communities to spread their talent.
Susan Waterbury is Associate Professor of Violin at Ithaca College and a former member of the renowned Cavani Quartet. Waterbury has given masterclasses and recitals in major conservatories both in the US and abroad. She studied with Donald Weilerstein.
Check out her recital on Sunday November 1 at 4pm in Hockett Recital Hall at Ithaca College. Video after the link.
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Aaron Rosand Says Goodbye to His Guarneri
Here's Lookin at You Kid
Violinist Aaron Rosand relinquished his violin in a London hotel last week after more than half a century with the instrument. Rosand sold the instrument because he “had” to; he wanted to ensure it will be played as he approaches his golden years—a contingency to which the Russian billionaire who bought the violin agreed.
Rosand says parting with the instrument “felt as if I left part of my body behind.” The Guarneri del Gesu was made in 1741, and previously belonged to violinist Paul Kochanski, earning it the nickname “ex-Kochanski.” Rosand spent his career with that violin, and says he sold it to make sure it continued to see the hands of capable violinists.
Although his performing days are waning, Rosand is staying involved with the arts—particularly his Alma Mater, The Curtis Institute of Music. Mr. Rosand has already donated $1.5 million to the conservatory after the sale, and intends to continue giving. The price tag of his instrument: $10 million.
Source: NY Times.
Hahn-Bin Gives Debut Violin Recital
Very Fashion Forward
Hahn-Bin, last year’s winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, gave his debut recital at Zankel Hall last Thursday featuring an eclectic assortment from the violin repertoire. Known only by his first name, Hahn-Bin and his haircut have studied with violinist Itzhak Perlman for the past 10 years. His recital program included standards by Kreisler, Chopin, and Mozart, with contemporary selections by Schnittke, Cage, Lutoslawski, and Penderecki.
According to reviewer Allan Kozinn, the contextual jumps between each piece were somewhat jarring, but one could not deny the “distinct characterizations Hahn-Bin brought to each score.” He continued to compliment both his “rich, varied tone and his technical facility.”
For the complete review read the NY Times article on one of the newest up-and-coming violinists.