Many years ago I visited the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. What a wonderful experience that was, because it allowed me to “overdose” on music. During that time I heard a performance by violinist Julia Fischer, and I was so pleased that I asked her to autograph my concert program.
Fast-forward by 20 years or so: Today I heard a lengthy YouTube recording in which Ms. Fischer spoke about her life. It turned out that she plays both piano and violin, and she gives concerts at the chamber music level or with orchestra as a soloist. She has clearly had top notch training…
I was astounded by the reservoir of commitment and will-power by this impressive woman. Her sharing her own life story was frequently interrupted with musical illustrations. On piano she performed as soloist in the Piano concerto by Grieg. As a violinist, she played the Saint-Saens Concerto #3.
Here is a recording of the Saint-Saens concerto:
