Young musicians on their favourite music
Need some music inspiration? We spoke to the Menuhin Competition violinists and asked them about their favourite music.
Need some music inspiration? Who better to ask than than the young people who live and breathe music… the Menuhin Competition competitors!
“To play great music, you must keep your eyes on a distant star.” — Yehudi Menuhin
We asked them what is their favourite piece of music to play, and their responses were all fantastic. Here are a select few with links to the recordings.
Happy listening!
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G Minor
“Currently I really like the Rachmaninoff Piano Trio No.1. I believe it displays unfiltered emotions in a complex yet understandable piece. In the first movement particularly, all three voices carry the powerful themes and each time it resonates differently with me.” — Qing Yu Chen, 16, USA
Ernest Chausson: Poème for violin and orchestra in E flat major op. 25
“My favourite piece to play is the Chausson Poeme. I learned it when I was going through a difficult period in my life, and I would play it every day as a means of meditation. It’s a piece of music that almost feels like a language to me — a language of grief and healing, hurt and recovery. I’m forever indebted to my study of this music. It has made me a better person.” — Ariel Horowitz, 19, USA
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 7 in C minor op. 30/2
“It is hard to say what my favourite piece to play is- it varies. It would have to be between Beethoven 7th sonata for violin and piano and Tzigane by Ravel for very different reasons. If I had to choose Beethoven would be my favourite composer, and in the past when I played this piece, the emotions that washed over me were so special. I love to play chamber music and the Beethoven violin sonatas are such a fantastic representation of the array of beauty that the composer can create. On the other hand, playing Ravel’s Tzigane fills me with such adrenalin and excitement. When playing it, I have the sensation that I can be anything and go anywhere and it’s a wonderful feeling.” — Juliette Roos, 20, UK
Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor (Largo) BWV 1043
“Though it is very hard for me to decide on just one piece, I can say without a doubt that the Largo from the Bach Violin Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor is one of my favourite works to play. Playing together with another violinist, supporting each other as equals to create such beautiful music is a wonderful experience, and I would take any opportunity to perform it!” — Takumi Taguchi, 14, USA/Japan
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
“My favourite piece of music to play is Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64. I was first inspired by Menuhin and his beautiful sound in the second movement of this piece. Also, there are so many different types of characters in this piece and I feel like I can really connect to those characters. When I play this concerto I feel like I am part of the music and a whole story starts to unfold as I play the piece. This music is just very personal to me and I feel like I can express myself thoroughly and that is the best feeling of all when you can just stand up there on stage and communicate with the audience.” — Yesong Sophie Lee, 12, USA
Karol Szymanowski: Notturno e Tarantella Op. 28
“I love playing different music, starting from the baroque period, ending on contemporary pieces. My taste towards music changed with my age. Right now I am in love with 20th century music and I absolutely admire Szymanowski. The fact that he was Polish makes me even more excited to perform his pieces. At present I am playing Notturno e Tarntalle Op. 28 and it makes me express 100% of my emotions. It is so passionate, so touching, so mysterious… there are no words to express how beautiful the piece is.” — Klara Gronet, 15, Poland
You can read all of the competitors responses on our Menuhin Competition Audience Award page
