INTEREST
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free
– Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
I met real baroque violin when I was 19 years old. It was really shocking and first of all, I could not understand what happened in front of me. Rich sound, transparent harmony, such a freedom, beautiful colors, well-ordered still enjoyable conversation between the instruments, etc...
Momentarily, I realize that
“This is the ONE, I'm looking for my life work. Such a value worth living thing!”
Since then, I try to find what is a secret of music, what is most important thing for music reappearance. End of my student period, ego and fear cause me mental instability. Even I took just drop of caffeine, simply I could not perform one single note how I wanted. I walked in the darkness for a while. My friend suggested to me to read one book. About “Buddhist engraver”. In the book, he wrote how to engraving buddhist image.
“I try to listen the voice of Buddha from the timber. Then I just follow Buddha's instruction to remove unnecessary parts.”
and even he continued,
“If I impose my greed during the process, become ugly and unnatural finished.”
It was great guidance and huge eye opener.
Listen to a voice from music(note), what they asked me to do.
Easy to say, not easy to do.
Still, I was very happy to see where I should go, what I must learn, how deep I should go.
I always ask to my student,
“Play one open string, make person cry.”
Of course, you need combination of a wide variety of techniques.
Also sharp insight, deep reading comprehension and most important matter is, face to music with with ultimate affection.
I love to teach, and I feel teaching is my most important mission of life.
Working at professional field over 30 years, I believe that I should transmit my knowledge to next young generations.
These knowledge and performance technique, of course have been personalized to my exact requirements. I should not force to teach my personal technique during a lesson. Because, they have all different problems and needs for there development. I just gave them various elements for basic practice and, help them to create many boxes in there hands. Later, they can combine these elements to create a desired sound in the performance.
Here is one of my favorite, respectful violin player.
P.Nardini(1722~93), was pupil of G.Tartini. He was not exactly as technical player as his teacher. L.Mozart evaluated his performance “The beauty, purity and evenness of his tone and his cantabile cannot be surpassed”, particularly famed for his performance of adagio movements, which were more suited to his lyrical than dramatic nature. Even according to Schubart, he managed to move even the most insensitive listeners by the deep emotions expressed so effortlessly and naturally. (from Grove Music dictionary)
What is music performance?
I really believe most important thing is to make others mentally enriching and happier.
For that reason, I always try to find a hint from my normal life, use them for later performance.
Read music notes accurately, of course!
Read between the notes, behind the notes and between the lines as well.
Let's listen of the music score's voice.
I do not seek, I find – Vincent Willem van Gogh
