Jeffrey Sonheim
4 comments By Jeffrey Sonheim
This question of "memorization or not" appears to have an easy solution! A blind test of random, knowledgeable listeners listening (ears only, no eyes) to the same piece, perhaps, and asked to determine which are played from memory and which not. And the pieces if paired (i.e, one memorized and the other same peice maybe not), need not have one as memorized and the other not! Compare the results with the hypothesis that everyone "Guessed" and thereby you will have your answer.
I've noticed Yuja Wang has posted some performances with her trusty iPad for the music. Alas, the woman is busy, but here we have an unearthly talent! The results are astounding either way. It's music, all right, no matter how she does it...With regard to the Conunova violin incident, perhaps the "overzealous" customs employee feared Ms Conunova might record the Vivaldi Four Seasons even again, and, thinking the market saturated, that that particular instrument deserved better pieces in its current "repertoire", warned Ms Conunova that she had better start recording rarer, more serious works. Also, your article failed to disclose if any of the customs employees themselves had won any international violin competitions, and merely wanted this instrument to practice on for a short while.
On a more serious note, shouldn't these violins have appropriate documentation stating ownership, use, and who is responsible for the instrument, and who may be contacted if questions arise, as happened at Chisinau?The playing here is first rate, the photography absolutely TERRIBLE.
This is achingly slow.
Commented on: 28 August 2022
Should soloists always perform music from memory?