Saturday, April 23, 2011

virtuoso


So I know I told you that I quit watching television and that's mostly true. That doesn't mean that it isn't on all the time or that someone else isn't watching it, usually in the other room.

Though I will admit that I watch soap operas during the day while I work. My interest in the story lines waxes and wanes but it's like having a very long book read to you with pictures. Mostly I just listen and look up every now and then.

This isn't about that even though two of the three soap operas I watch are finally being cancelled this year and not even Oprah can save them. Apparently she was prevailed upon to add them to her network. She replied (and I'm paraphrasing here), “Honey, those shows have been on for over 30 years. If there was still a penny to be made from them, somebody would already be making it.”

But I digress.

Friday, I got called from the other room.

Hey Ellen, come look at this.”



'This' turned out to be a segment on the Today Show, an interview with 23 year old virtuoso, Hahn-Bin, a classical violin prodigy and protege of Itzhak Pearlman. It was so visually unexpected and his mastery so complete, he such a unique individual, that I had to look it up on the web and watch it again. And then I googled him to find out more.

I took the following from his website:


Born in Seoul, Hahn-Bin made his international debut at age twelve at the 42nd Grammy Awards performing in honor of Isaac Stern. Following a decade under the tutelage of Itzhak Perlman at The Juilliard School, Hahn-Bin made his critically-acclaimed debut in 2009 at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall as the recipient of the Peter Marino Concert Prize, following his First Prize win at the prestigious Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

And then on to youtube. Instead of my trying to describe this amazing individual, you must experience him for yourself.



This first clip is a little over 4 minutes, excerpts from a single performance I think.



This second clip is an interview with Hahn-Bin interspersed with his music, about 7 minutes.



The third clip is a bit longer, 13 minutes but a complete piece.



And this last one is very short, 1 ½ minutes and is an ad for his performance at MoMA. If you didn't watch any of the others, at least watch/listen to this one.







20 comments:

  1. What a talent! Everything about the performances is 'other-worldly'. Thanks for the introduction to him Ellen!

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  2. Wow - what a fascinating young man! I love his style - & the interview was really good (I disagree with Ellen - watch the interview if nothing else). Can you imagine trying to raise him? What a fascinating journey THAT would be as a parent :)

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  3. Fascinatingly talented in so many ways! Wow!

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  4. When I first saw him, I thought, "how distracting," but after watching and listening further, I don't feel that way anymore.

    Very interesting interview. A paintbrush. Clay. And a violin. Look what you get: a whole new way to interpret classical music and the performer himself.

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  5. At first I thought "Another freaky person trying to say something about themselves but then I listened - what absolutely amazing talent! Thanks for sahring that one.

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  6. Wow. And ... holy cow.

    This is not an earthling. You know that right? Definitely from another planet or another realm, at least.

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  7. oh yes Reya, something other-worldly about him, perhaps he fell here by mistake. or purposely to open our perceptions. I like the way he describes himself and others like him as 'far fruits', as in fruit that fell far from the tree, very far.

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  8. Wow... amazing the beautiful sounds he can coax from his violin... some sounds like a human whistle.

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  9. No one could listen to him play and not feel the earth move. What I really love about him is the ways he crosses boundaries and expectations, which is just what needs to happen now in art. Thank you for the introduction! I'm thrilled and inspired. I agree with Dana (The Bug) watch and listen to the interview.

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  10. Dana and Ruth, well my thinking was that if someone didn't want to invest the time then if they at least listened to the last very short clip, they would be intrigued enough to go back and invest the time.

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  11. Ellen: what a wonderful adventure you have taken us on this morning. Thanks so much for the introduction to "an other worldly" artist. I was listening and enjoying and before long the grands had joined in the festivities of his joyous performances. Wow, he is fabulous. Happy Sunday my friend. TOB

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  12. Congrats, Ellen, you're my blog of the month ...

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  13. Gifts in unexpected wrapping. How exquisite!

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  14. Ellen, I was on facebook and Reya had posted this blog, so I came to investigate this violin virtuoso. Hahn-Bin is really different. Even though he is a student of Itzhak Perlman, he has his own unique style, focus and energy.
    I very much enjoyed all of the clips you posted of his music and I really liked the performance at MoMa. Can you imagine walking into an art gallery and experiencing Hahn-Bin? I would feel joy in my heart for such a long time after. I will share these clips with my granddaughter who plays the violin with the Suzuki school. Thank you for posting them. I see Bonnie, Steven, Reya, Cheryl, Tess... many of my bloggy friends come here and so I have added you to my list of blogs I visit. =D

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  15. Whoa! That was fabulous, Ellen, Thanks for those clips! AWESOME!

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  16. He is awesome!! And his "look" is perfection!! Love that he is a "performance" artist as well!!
    Wonderful!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  17. Classical Bo George. I enjoyed watching him.

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  18. Oh my goodness, Ellen! I was barely ready for the sensual stimulus. His face and his music melded in such a way. I just listened to all the clips you posted and will definitely get some of his work. I love string music to work sex magic (the fluid sound goes all the way to my bones), and with Beltane coming, well... perfect!

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I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.