Taught by renowned violinist
Shmuel Ashkenasi
Shmuel Ashkenasi has been living an exemplary life as a world-class violinist for over sixty years. After coming to the United States at age 17 to study with Efrem Zimbalist at the Curtis Institute of Music, he quickly made splashes as an international competition winner and recording artist. This deeply contemplative interview by Eric Silberger, head of tonebase Violin, surveys Ashkenasi's formative moments, inspirations, and what he's learned about the mechanics of technique and musicianship.
Introduction and Influences
World renowned violinist and pedagog Shmuel Ashkenasi discusses major influences in his musical upbringing, including his experience as a young Israeli violinist working with various teachers and as a student at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Posture, Bow Hold, and the Use of Shoulder Rest
In this short segment, Ashkenasi discusses the subject of posture and bow hold through his experience studying with the iconic Hungarian - Israeli violinist and teacher Ilona Fehér (her famed students include Pinchas Zukerman, Shlomo Mintz, and Hagai Shaham.). He also shares his experience with the use of shoulder rest.
Vibrato and Sound
Ashkenasi shares his insights to the soul of the sound through discussion of vibrato in different contexts, listening with the inner ear, and the way many famous violinists play.
Technique and Foundation
Contrary to many, Ashkenasi is not an advocate for scale practice! In this segment, he talks about how to build a technical foundation, curing bad habits, and practice with musical intent.
On Practicing
Ashkenasi urges more practice time to be spent without the instrument! In his discussion on practice, he also shares his view on talent.
Beginnings, Back to Foundations
As a teacher, Ashkenasi shares how to use repertoire tactfully to strengthen technical foundation. He also shares his insight of teaching students with different ways of playing.
Interpretation and Developing Style
Ashkenasi shares his view on the importance and reason why one should pay close attention to a composer's intention., and how to interpret markings in context. At the same time, how one develops a personal sound.
Teaching Expression and Musicality
Teaching the infinite art of expression is a much more difficult matter than the technical aspect. Ashkenasi shares his life-long experience of guiding students to loving music, which to him is the biggest reward.
On Staying Inspired and Keeping Things Fresh
Ashkenasi shares his passion for music, and briefly touches on the points in life when he began to cultivate his spiritual attitude toward the art form.
Rehearsal, Classical Period Works, Dynamics and Timbre in Various Contexts
How do you manage rehearsal time? What makes playing Mozart difficult? Through these questions, Ashkenasi takes us further into the discussion of dynamic, timbre, articulation in many different contexts such as projection in solo playing, in orchestral setting, balance (both in terms of sound and ego) in chamber music, across instruments, and more. He also shares his insight to chamber music; on how to listen, the importance of score study, and dynamic markings in chamber music.
Score Study and Approach to Learning a New String Quartet
Ashkenasi breaks down how to study the score in chamber music.
On Tuning and Hearing Intonation
How do you hear intonation? How does listening to intonation change when you play with a piano? In an orchestra? Or in a string quartet? Ashkenasi shares his valuable experience as a soloist, pedagog, and violinist of the Vemeer Quartet.
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Unlock Course →Israeli virtuoso violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi has a string of competition prizes under his belt and is currently on the faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music
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