Violinist, Age 9.
I have admired Anne–Sophie Mutter for many years. And I have loved her interpretations of the Beethoven sonatas, and also the Brahms and Mozart sonatas.
Back in 2006, I traveled from San Francisco to New York City, just to attend a series of three concerts at Carnegie Hall, where Ms. Mutter performed all the Mozart sonatas for violin and piano with pianist Lambert Orkis.
I noticed once that the way she plays the Beethoven Sonata #5 (Spring), she plays the lovely theme from the first movement differently each time that this theme returns. Most performers just show us the beauty of this theme; but Ms. Mutter gives this theme a slightly different character each time that theme reappears. For me, that makes the presentation so much more special.
Today I am sharing with you how all this magic first began. On the following video there is a lot of history from Ms. Mutter’s life. At 02:09 you will begin to see Ms. Mutter as a 9-year old child, and get set to marvel at the maturity of her performance.
Sorry, the conversation is in German; but the music spans all languages. Toward the end, an interviewer asks her what she wishes for in the future. She replies: “I’d like a very high quality violin, and also an excellent car that can take me on a trip to Africa (big smile).”
Fast – forward many years now, and let’s listen to how that little girl developed musically. Listen now to the way she played Beethoven’s ‘Spring’ sonata, Op. 24 about three years ago: The first time that the theme is announced is at 01:14, and then it comes back at about 03:48. Listen carefully now, and you’ll identify the other times that the theme returns to us, and it is presented in such a special way each time.
Wonderful, Huh?
Tags: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Beethoven, Mozart, Lambert Orkis
