Why listen?
When I took my first Suzuki teacher training course, it was remarkable to me how much emphasis was placed on listening. Over the years, so much care has gone into having the world’s greatest violinists record the entire repertoire, Pre-twinkle through Volume 10. Listening not only assists in internalizing repertoire, it opens up for students a world of possibilities for how to play the violin beautifully.
It’s recital season
Listening is always important but for my private students, it has a special place in their performance preparation right now. Obviously, practicing the violin requires a lot of alone time. It is easy to forget that one’s violin playing must fit in with the piano or orchestra part. Right now I am encouraging my students to focus on the piano part when doing their listening. I remind them to listen for how their part fits in with the piano part.
For your listening pleasure and edification
When I created this card for the Inspiration for Violinists card deck, I was drawing upon the virtuoso’s I had grown up with who were all men. I am including a list here of a more diverse yet exceptional group of violinists who I would suggest listening to:
Hilary Hahn
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Regina Carter
Augustin Hadelich
Joshua Bell
Midori
Jesus Florido
Will B and Kev Marcus – Black Violin
Natalie MacMaster
Mark O’Connor
Violinist Linda Beers is the creator of the Inspiration for Violinists, a 50 card deck. Each card has a unique image and text inspiring musicianship, mindfulness and spirituality.