Well, come on in! This is a space that I am hoping will grow and strike chords with you over the years—from musings about music to more formal program notes to maybe even disjointed thoughts about music (and literature).
As you probably know (since you’re here on my website), I’m a concert violinist. I started playing when I was 4 years old, and started to perform when I was 6—so with no real memories before having started my musical studies, it would be an understatement to say that much of my life is colored by my relationship to music, which has had its ebbs and flows throughout the years.
At the same time, I am extremely grateful that I was allowed and even encouraged to pursue my other interests—namely, literature (and to be more specific, German poetry and Continental philosophy). Throughout my time wading into the waters of philosophy and poetry, I came to see just how connected my response to music, poetry, and life were. I realized how deeply and intricately poetry had an influence on my understanding of music and of my life, as well as the influence that my life had on the music I played and the poems I read. And of course, I would be remiss to not mention the wash of color that music painted over my reading of literature and experience of life.
While I primarily seek to share music with people all over the world through my playing, I want to curate a space where some of the less “obvious” elements of music playing might come to light. Questions are always welcome, either on the comments board below or by email.
In the meantime, happy musicking!
AL
(Left)
Me in 2007 performing in Chicago, IL for the Strad Society
(Right)
Me in 2021 performing in Kronberg, Germany for the Kronberg Academy
Hi Anna, you articulate your encounter with the connected orbs of music : poetry : life beautifully. I wonder if you think Rilke's take on the life of an artist holds weight? "I know no advice for you save this: to go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create. Accept it, just as it sounds, without inquiring into it. Perhaps it will turn out that you are called to be an artist. Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside. For the creator must be…