Top 6 Violinist Interviews on Living the Classical Life
Violinists (Clockwise from top left) Anne-Sophie Mutter, Rachel Barton Pine, Jennifer Koh, Filip Pogády, Anne Akiko Meyer, JoshuaBell. Photo credits: The Japan Art Association/TheSankei Shimbun, Courtesy of Artist, Juergen Frank, Courtesy of Artist, MolinaVisuals, MarcHom
Living the Classical Life might have begun as a small YouTube series exploring the idea of an in-depth look at talented, classical musicians, but now, it’s an award-winning, one-of-a-kind conversation platform featuring acclaimed musicians from around the world where they open up and really talk.
More than that, it’s transformed into a non-profit media empire that not only inspires classical musicians around the world, but encourages them to continue to achieve more, to create, and to find healing through their art.
Hosted by Zsolt Bognár, Living the Classical Life has hosted over 70 episodes, shining a light on gifted, hardworking musicians spanning the vast range of classical music, from singers to pianists to ensembles and more. We’ve chosen to highlight the top 6 violinist interviews on Living the Classical Life featuring Joshua Bell, Jennifer Koh, Anne Akiko Meyers, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Rachel Barton Pine, and Filip Pogády.
Before we dive into these exceptional and cinematically beautiful violinist interviews, first, a note from Bognár, host and pianist, about creating Living the Classical Life.
“I realized that in sharing the stories of the musicians and legends I admired growing up—who have so much to share on a musical and human level—our show has much to give to others seeking the same path, and much to illuminate to all who have an interest in the arts and a passionate life.”
Joshua Bell
As one of the most celebrated violinists of his era, Joshua Bell is an esteemed musician who’s best known for his multi-faceted musical interests, his restless curiosity, and his palpable passion. Bell, who began studying violin at age 4, tirelessly seeks to expand the boundaries of his instrument while simultaneously committing himself to expanding classical music’s societal and cultural impact in innovate ways.
With more than 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, conductor, and director under his belt—and after having played with virtually every major orchestra in the world—Bell continues to dedicate himself to his art, achieving the rare title of classical music superstar.
Watch the full episode with Joshua Bell.
Jennifer Koh
Since the moment Jennifer Koh walked out on stage to debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the young age of 11, she’s been an inspiration to musicians everywhere. With a commanding stage presence, technical assurance, and dazzling virtuosity, Koh finds herself on a never-ending musical quest for the new and unusual, fueled by her endless curiosity and her uncanny ability to lead and inspire a host of multidisciplinary collaborators.
Not only is she recognized for her accolades and achievements—winner of Musical America’s 2016 Instrumentalist of the Year, a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition, among others—but also, for her title as the Artistic Director of arco collaborative, an artist-driven nonprofit that fosters a better understanding of our world through a musical dialogue inspired by the ideas and communities that surround us.
For Koh, though, her art has given her more than a purpose and has become more than an inspiration—it’s also given her something she believes to be the greatest gift. “I truly believe that art gives us the gift of empathy,” she said.
Watch the full episode with Jennifer Koh.
Anne Akiko Meyers
Recognized as one of the most respected classical musicians performing today, Anne Akiko Meyers has been wowing audiences for nearly three decades with her purity of sound, her deeply poetic interpretations, her best-selling records, and her passionate performances.
Frequently performing with the world’s top orchestras to present ground-breaking recitals, Akiko Meyers continues to expand the modern violin repertoire with commissions, performances, and recording of new, important works.
In this interview episode, she discusses her deep passion for new music, talks about her start on some of the major stages of the world, and even dives into a moving story about her early struggles and doubts that helped her become the artist she is today.
Watch the full episode with Anne Akiko Meyers.
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Dive deep into the fascinating life of Anne-Sophie Mutter in this no-holds-barred conversation with the four-time Grammy Award-winning artist. As a virtuoso fixture for more than forty years, Mutter has made her mark on the classical scene as a soloist, a visionary, a mentor, and so much more.
Mutter has given world premieres of over 27 works, has had pieces commissioned and composed just for her by some of the most famous composers of our time, and has played alongside with the most acclaimed orchestras in the world.
In this interview, Mutter dishes about an unbearable incident with an audience member (“someone was sitting in the first row holding a mobile phone up into my face”) and goes in-depth to discuss her life as one of the world’s most talented, successful, and recognized violinists of our modern era.
Watch the full episode with Anne-Sophia Mutter.
Rachel Barton Pine
Striking, charismatic, a boundary-defying performer—all of these words have been used to describe the life and talent of award-winning violin soloist Rachel Barton Pine.
A born motivational speaker, Pine has continued to appear regularly with the world’s major orchestras for years, all starting with her first appearance with the Chicago Symphony at the young age of 10. She plays with conviction, with passion, with joy—she’s thrilled audiences worldwide with her technique and her tone. She’s consistently noted for her ability to connect with people—through her music and through her gift for emotional communication. Pine has appeared as a soloist with innumerable ensembles spanning the globe and has collaborated with acclaimed artists and conductors like Daniel Barenboim, John Nelson, Marin Alsop, Placido Domingo, William Warfield, and more.
In this episode, Pine—after performing J.S. Bach’s D minor Partita—dives into a deep discussion about the art of practice, working through motivational slumps, digging through adversity (in music and in life), and the never-ending pursuit of all corners of the musical life.
Watch the full episode with Rachel Barton Pine.
Filip Pogády
In one of the newest episodes listed on Living the Classical Life’s platform, Filip Pogády shares and discusses his love for music, no matter the platform (from subway stations to Instagram to the most acclaimed stages and halls in the world). Though he’s known for his commanding presence, his beautiful tone, his lightning-like virtuosity, and his passionate performances, he’s also recognized for a new iteration of fame in the classical music world—a classical music social media influencer.
For Pogády, who began studying violin at age 7, he believes that “everything in life is just an improvisation,” as he discusses in further detail in this interview. He notes that, for him, a few minutes of Bach for the accidental passenger on a subway station is no less meaningful than playing a recital or posting his daily practice. He fiercely believes in music being available to everyone.
