William Fitzpatrick - violin expert

The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick: Leontyne Price

How a violinist can learn from a singer

In this video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells you a story about how a famous soprano helped him define his own goals.

Released on January 12, 2022

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DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Video Transcription

In the early 70's I saw the name Leontyne Price on the Nashville Symphony schedule but had no idea that she was an internationally acclaimed soprano. During the rehearsal she did not sing in full voice and I thought she was good but nothing more. Then the concert came and she was singing in full voice and that's when I felt it. The sound of her vice entered my body and I felt all of me resonate. It was as if my body became her resonating chamber. I literally felt touched by the sound of her voice. From that moment on I wanted the sound of my violin to have the same effect on anyone listening to me, to resonate as I had. This became my goal as a violinist.
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Comments, Questions, Requests:

George Mahida * VSM MEMBER * on January 12, 2022 @6:27 pm PST
Professor Fitzpatrick I like how Leontyne Price touched your soul resonating in your body. Your goal to have the same effect with your violin is amazing. When I listen to you playing “Meditation from Thais “ I stop what I am doing and simply enjoy music. Thanks for sharing your story.
Tosh Hayashi * VSM MEMBER * on January 12, 2022 @11:07 am PST
Your anecdote reminded me of something else: that is, a famous
violinist was rehearsing a concerto with a symphony orchestra and played fairly "softly" throughout the piece...but at the actual concert performance she played out fully with great volume where needed, etc. I suppose the soloist's strategy was to "save" her energy and intensity for the actual performance. In a sense it was a strategy that athletes will often follow in taking a modest warmup before the actual contest.
reply
William - host, on January 13, 2022 @5:06 am PST
Hi and thanks! Strategies are an important part of what we do!!!
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