Profile of Violinist Joshua Bell
What is involved in making a piece your own?
Being completely convinced by a piece. When I’m playing a Beethoven sonata, I really am trying to get into what Beethoven wanted—but I’m the one deciding what I think Beethoven wanted. In the process, I become convinced that this is the way it should be. You have to make it as if you are writing it, as though it is something new, being written right there on the spot. You can’t go on autopilot and then come to life when you suddenly connect with a note or phrase. Every single note has a direction, either coming somewhere or going somewhere. Until you feel that, you probably shouldn’t play a piece. When someone hears me playing, I don’t particularly want people to think, “I’m listening to Joshua Bell.” I want them to go away thinking,“God, that’s a great piece.”
By Timothy Pfaff
 Violin Virtuosos
Book (paperbound) / eBook
$12.99 / $9.99
Violin Virtuosos takes you behind the velvet curtain for an in-depth look at some of today’s most dynamic soloists, and their lives in music. Joshua Bell, Chee-Yun, Kyung-Wha Chung, Jorja Fleezanis, Hilary Hahn, Leila Josefowicz, Mark Kaplan, Viktoria Mullova, Vadim Repin, Joseph Silverstein, and Christian Tetzlaff open up, revealing the personal, technical, and psychological aspects of their lives in music: how they cope with isolation, how they approach and interpret their repertoire, and what kindles their passions and unites them with their audiences. With the holidays well and truly upon us, this fascinating companion to 21st-Century Violinists is the ideal gift for the string player in your life. |
|
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION |
NS Design
iNSpiration
Bowed electrics by master designer Ned Steinberger, breakthroughs in physical beauty, player ergonomics, and amplified performance for the ultimate in creative expression.
thinkns.com |
Strings Charts
Expand your repertoire with our popular sheet music line including artfully arranged interpretations of popular rock, jazz, and roots music, along with fresh new alternative-styles original compositions.
Visit our store at:
AllThingsStrings.com/store
|
Strings Books
The experts at Strings will inspire you with stories of making a successful career as a musician, technique and player wellness tips, and profiles of your favorite artists.
Visit our store at AllThingsStrings.com/store |
|
|
Post blogs and video, start and join discussions around your favorite topics, and meet fellow string players at the Strings Community.
