CMPI Fellows are incredibly fortunate to have access to some of the top musicians in the field for masterclasses, lectures, and workshops. Every once in a while, the masterclass clinician happens to be one of the most legendary artists of our time. This year, three CMPI violin fellows had the privilege and honor to play for Hilary Hahn, one of the world’s greatest violin soloists, before her series of performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Sponsored by the Chicago Symphony’s Negaunee Music Institute, the masterclass featured three of CMPI’s talented violin fellows, sophomore Beatrice Valenzuela, senior Dmytro Saldan, and senior Hanna Marszalek, along with collaborative pianist Lyudmila Lakisova. The class was attended by an overflow crowd of CMPI fellows, families, and Chicago Symphony patrons.
Ms. Hahn began by asking each fellow questions about themselves and their goals, helping them to feel comfortable and confident. Beatrice performed first, masterfully working through the exposition of the opening movement of Brahms’ Violin Concerto, one of the repertoire’s most challenging works, both technically and musically. Ms. Hahn focused on several diverse topics with Beatrice, including making sure even the fastest passages were impeccably in tune, as well as finding the musicality and sound of the work.
Dmytro performed the first movement of the Khachaturian Violin Concerto, a rhythmically driven staple of the literature he is preparing for his upcoming college auditions. Ms. Hahn worked with him on some of his frustrations with his bow arm, as well as the ornamentation of the musical line.
Finally, Hanna Marszalek performed the first movement of the Dvorak Violin Concerto, another beloved concerto of the repertoire, also in preparation for her college auditions. Interacting in constant dialogue with Ms. Hahn, Hanna worked on feeling confident and casual through the technically demanding sections, as well as finding the unique voicing hidden within the slow themes.
The session concluded with a brief question and answer period. Ms. Hahn talked about how she keeps herself physically healthy, especially after a significant injury, and how she balances various aspects of her life, from violin to motherhood.
This masterclass was a wonderful way to start off the year for CMPI fellows! Additional masterclasses for almost every instrument will occur over the next nine months, giving most students the opportunity to perform and learn. We look forward to hearing more CMPI fellows receive feedback from the greatest teachers and artists in the music world today.
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