My Favorites

Violinists

My favorite violinists in order are:

• Yehudi Menuhin - Inspired me as he was a Prodigy, a life-long successful Artist and Humanitarian - Through his writings he taught me how "grabbly" humans are and how we usually squeeze our notes down too hard. He also taught me the value of stretching, good habits, rest and the value of not selfishly over-indulging oneself in a performance.
• Itzhak Perlman - Unbelievable! Inspired me to strive to become a soloist. Great personality to boot. Also inspired me quite a bit as I too was crippled for one year of my life and for that one year I could identify with Mr. Perlman's physical challenge of the legs.
• Jasha Heifetz - Fascinates me (and everyone else) - As listed above, another good example of a lesson in not over indulging oneself in order to actually increase the overall satisfaction of life. Basically, this all comes down to your incremental investment in isolated concentration and practice, albeit lonely at times, results in the overall benefit to society.
• Hilary Hahn - Interpretations of J.S. Bach are unsurpassed
• Zino Francescatti - Unbelievable Paganini and Saint-Saëns interpretations
• Isaac Stern - One of the best intonations, ever. I also kind of secretly dig his permanent fast vibrato. Although, I don't play that way.
• Nathan Milstein - Inspired me to start playing the Violin without supporting the instrument with all kinds of shoulder rest contraptions
• Viktoria Mullova - Inspired me to start playing the Violin back in 1991
• Pinchas Zukerman - Interpretations of W.A. Mozart are unsurpassed
• Anne Sophie-Mutter - I enjoy her passion
• David Oistrak - I like his appearance of ease of playing
• David Garrett - Strikes me as one of the most agile and nimble players in history