Tag: Esther Abrami

Categories
Classical Music

The 16th International Wieniawski Violin Competiton

As I am writing this on Saturday afternoon, Im also watching the second evening of the Stage 2 performances of the 16th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, held in Poznan, Poland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4X4EGQ17JE). I have written about the Violin Making Competition last year (https://luegra.design.blog/2021/05/15/the-14th-international-henryk-wieniawski-violin-making-competition/), and this year is the actual performances of young violinists from around the world.

I know that I could never judge one of these events. The competition began with Stage 1 all of last week, with the results announced of the 14 musicians that would advance to Stage 2 announced on October 11. As I watched this YouTube stream, I was heartbroken in a way. So many of these young violinists have devoted a lifetime of energy and stress to get to this competition, only to learn that they did not make the cut. To see their faces distraught and tears of loss come from their eyes is disheartening. In my eyes, they are all so extremely talented, but again, I could never judge such an event, and those that are qualified to judge have made the decisions.

Between watching these performances, and becoming acquainted and a patron the violinist Esther Abrami, I have learned to truly appreciate classical music again. I enjoyed it back about 30 years ago when Detroit actually had a radio station devoted to classical music, but faded away from it, moving into roots music again. YouTube sort of sparked that interest again, and after closely observing the Wieniawski Violin Making Competition, and having email conversations with Esther, I have learned to enjoy it and get emotional by the music.

I do not root for any of the performers like I would for a baseball team or a pro golfer on the circuit. They are all amazing performers. This Stage 2 competition includes each contestant performing in an orchestra setting and duetting with a concert viola player. Even after just one or two performances, I am totally knocked out. So far, the favorite is a young girl from the US named Hana Chang. The comments in the chat session when she performs all seem to agree that she is the best out there. Again, I have no way of judging and not nearly enough experience to say which one of these performers are the top.

I hope that you can take some time and check out the performances on the Wieniawski Society YouTube channel to follow the competition. Even if you have just a little appreciation for classical music, you will not be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/c/WieniawskiSociety

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Classical Music

Je t’Adore, Esther Abrami!

Last week, I received my copy of the debut album from classical violinist Esther Abrami. I have mentioned her a few times in previous blogs, and I wanted to talk more about her and her recording.

I came across one of Esther’s YouTube videos about four years ago, and have been in love with her spirit ever since. What first caught my attention about her physical appearance is that she looks so much like Audrey Hepburn, one of the most beautiful women to have ever been captured in motion pictures. Of course, Esther has done some professional modeling in her still young career, and she comes across so photogenically. She truly looks like a princess the way she holds herself.

Then I heard her playing. Amazing, to say the least! She was putting so much emotion into her bow technique that you would have thought that she had been playing the violin for 30 or 40 years. But no, this was a young woman of about 22 years of age! I had to see more of her videos, and almost immediately, I subscribed to her YouTube channel.

With each new video that Esther posted, I learned so much more about her personally. She comes across so beautifully for the camera. Although she is French, she has a wonderful control of the English language. This is due to the fact that she has done most of her musical studies in England, including at the Royal College of Music in London.

Esther’s passion for the violin and classical music began at the age of 3, and it was non-stop from that point. She was teased and made fun of by her school classmates for her intense interest and rigid practice schedule on the violin. It had an emotional effect on her growing up, yet she persevered.

Along with her musical education, Esther took a great interest in social media, promoting herself on all of the major outlets. This has resulted in gathering a large fan base in just a few years. She is often open about her dreams, hopes and fears as she progresses in her career. Her fan base has learned so much about her, and with that, has become her personal support group with whatever direction she takes. In 2019, she became the first classical musician to be nominated in the Social Media Superstar category at the Global Awards.

Her YouTube videos not only show her performances and practice sessions, but she also does reviews of violins and bows, as well as has some fun with the camera, including performing a duet with her “twin sister.” She recently started a vlog on her channel in which she interviews other women in classical music. We also learn of what a big and warm heart she has. She is a lover of animals, especially kittens. She has served as a foster parent for stray kittens and they have often appeared in her videos. One video went extremely viral, in which a kitten that is being held in the fanny pack around her waist is watching her practice the violin, then slowly falls asleep.

We have also learned how sensitive and emotional Esther can become in times of stress. We saw her sad and nearly broke down when the COVID lockdowns began, and she had to decide whether to continue to live and study in London or return to her family in France. We have also seen how the stress of a perfect performance can have an such a young yet talented musician. However, the reward of her work has shown in the past year, when she was signed to Sony Classical Entertainment Records, and most recently, being selected to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London on April 11. Not bad for a girl of 25!

Since I have been following her, I have done what I can to help support her career. A few years back, I became a patron of hers on the Patreon website. In the short amount of time that I have been following her, we have also emailed each other a number of times, and she always thanks me for my continued support. She sent me a beautiful Christmas/New Year card recently that I will cherish immensely.

Yes, I have a crush on her. Not just because of her beauty, but because of her passion for music. Through her videos, I have seen a little girl of 10 years of age mature into a beautiful and extremely talented performer. There is no one that I know of that deserves the attention and accolades that she has received the past year or two. With every email that I send her or comment that I post on YouTube, I always sign it with “Je t’adore.” and I do, I truly adore this young lady. I am sure that she knows that she can call on me if she is ever in need of something that I can do for her. I also truly hope that 2022 is her year for amazing success, as I have seen how hard she has worked for it.

I implore you to get a copy of Esther Abrami on CD, vinyl, or download. The music is light classical, easy on the ears, and is performed by a beautiful young lady that knows her way around the violin fingerboard. I also ask you to check out her website, as well as her YouTube channel. You will fall in love with her as well.

http://www.estherabrami.com/

http://album.estherabrami.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/estherabrami

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Classical Music

I Wish That These Were My Kids

A few years back, I came across a video of Amira Willighagen, and my jaw dropped. Here was a nine-year-old girl singing “O Mio Babbino Caro” as if she was blessed with an operatic voice at birth. She was performing on the program Holland’s Got Talent. The judges were knocked over, and as expected, she was the winner for that year (2013). At 17, she has been performing professionally since that win and has toured the world. I still get goose bumps when I see that original video clip of her audition.

Writing for Fiddler, I like to look out for up-and-coming talent. I often stray away from the roots-music genres and dive into classical violin. Scanning through YouTube has allowed me to come across some amazing talent. I have mentioned French violinist/model Esther Abrami in a previous post regarding Glarry beginner violins (https://luegra.design.blog/2020/05/03/violin-vs-fiddle-its-all-about-attitude/). I have followed her for a few years, have become a patron of hers, and we have become friends (albeit through the internet), emailing and chatting every so often. She has an album coming out in February, and from what I have heard of some of the songs, it is absolutely beautiful work. Find out more from her website at http://www.estherabrami.com/, and/or subscribe to her YouTube channel.

I recently came across two young violinists that brought me to tears of joy. To see such talent in teenage students is beyond belief. The first artist is Julia Majewska. She is now 13 years old, comes from Poland, but has studied in London (which shows in her wonderful control of the English language). She has won numerous international awards, and has been a part of the prestigious London Young Musician program. To see someone like her perform Paganini seems unreal, but it is. Check out her YouTube channel. Here she is performing “Chaccone” by Vitali for one of her exams.

The other young artist that I found is Christian Li. He is 14 years old, from Australia, and at 10 years was the youngest winner of the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists. He has been winning competitions since the age of seven, and is extremely humble about his talent. Like any kid, he enjoys kids’ activities, but to see his dedication to the violin is heartwarming. Again, check out his YouTube channel, and watch this 2018 video of his entry at the Menuhin Competition.

I am so glad that music is in good hands for the future generations. I know that I could never have been this good when I was young, even if I practiced 12 hours per day. There is a gift from God that is given to such individuals to be this good at this young age. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Chew on it and comment.

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