On his maiden visit to India, violin virtuoso Massimo Quarta talks about his musical journey, playing the famous 18th-century Il Cannone, and his love for the sea
For someone who knew at the tender age of 11 that few things gave him as much joy as listening to the violin, it won't be wrong to say that Massimo Quarta has devoted his life to nurturing his bond with the instrument. Considered one of the most important Italian violinists of his generation, Quarta's music had begun to resonate with connoisseurs in his country early on in his career. But the musician earned international acclaim in 1991, when he won the Paganini competition, held in honour of Niccolo Paganini, one of the pioneers of the modern violin technique. Along with fellow Italian and pianist Simonetta Tancredi, the two will perform in their maiden concert in Mumbai tonight. Edited excerpts from an interview:
Pic/Daniele Cruciani
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The sea has held a special place in your life. And here you are, by the Arabian Sea...
Yes, I was out fishing when my mother had to pull me out of the sea so I could sit for the entrance examination for the violin class at the conservatory in Lecce, my hometown. That's how it all began. Even today I find myself by the sea to gather strength before any important event. This will be my first tryst with the Arabian Sea
and I am excited.
What was it like to play Paganini's famous Il Cannone violin?
As goes the tradition, winners of the Paganini competition are allowed to play the maestro's violin for a short while. Because we were recording Paganini's concertos on Il Cannone, I was given half an hour with it — with the police standing next to me — before we went into the studio. But 30 minutes with a 250-year-old instrument were not enough to grasp its feel. Once the cops were convinced the violin was safe with me, they let me be with it for about four hours. It was the most unforgettable sound and experience of my life!
How did you decide you also want to be a conductor?
There were two reasons: When one explores music as a conductor, the grandness of the orchestra as a complete, complex instrument begins to sink in. Also, sometimes one is privileged to play with a conductor who acts as a translator of the soloist's concept to the orchestra, but when it doesn't happen, it's a nightmare. Conducting my music helps me be fully responsible for my reputation.
ON: Tonight, 7 pm
AT: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
CALL: 22824567
ENTRY: Rs 400 onwards (plus GST)
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