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Highcrest Orchestra
HMS News
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In the News
Can strings only play classical music?? Check it out!
New Instrument Technologies!
Read about this 3D-Printed Violin that could rival Stradivarious violins.
Artist Spotlights
Cello Spotlight: Yo-Yo Ma
Who is Yo-Yo Ma? Thought to be the best living cellist, Yo-Yo Ma started playing at the age of 4. He graduated from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts (Ms. McTighe's home town) and has performed all over the world. He has recorded over 75 CDs in many different musical styles. In 1998, he began the Silk Road project, which connects Eurasian musicians along the Silk Road. The Silk Road Ensemble performs throughout the world and consists of about 60 musicians, composers, and story-tellers.
- Watch this Brain Pop Video for background information on Yo-Yo Ma.
- Listen to a Yo-Yo Ma play "The Swan" from Carnival of the Animals.
- Learn more about the Silk Road Project and listen to the Silk Road Ensemble.
Bass Spotlight: Gary Karr
Who is Gary Karr? Coming from 7 generations of bass players, Gary Karr is one of the world's best professional bass players and activists. He has played solos with several orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is the founder of the International Bass Society and was featured in a documentary about bass players.
- Learn more about Gary Karr on his website.
- Watch an interview and live performance.
- Listen to Gary Karr on The Great Double Bass Race Documentary.
Viola Spotlight: Lawrence Power
Who is Lawrence Power? Lawrence Power started playing violin, but switched to viola at age 8. He studied at the Julliard School in New York. He frequently solos with orchestras and performs chamber music. From 2001-2003, Lawrence Power was a BBC Radio New Generation Artist, which kickstarted his professional career. In a 2008 interview with The Guardian, he said "I just love the viola. I find its sound very touching, because it's very close to the sound and the range of the human speaking voice. It can sing, or be dramatic, and it has a lot of emotion in it when it's played well."
- Read Lawrence Power's Interview and Profile in Strings Magazine.
- Browse his website.
- Listen to Lawrence Power play Shostakovich 8th String Quartet or Schumann 4th Piano Quartet.
Violin Spotlight: Anne-Sophie Mutter
Who is Anne-Sophie Mutter? Anne-Sophie Mutter is a German violinist. She performed her first solo with the Berlin Philharmonic at the age of 13. She is known for her interest in contemporary music. Several pieces have been written specifically for her. She owns two Stradivarius violins (one of the most famous makers). They were built in 1703 and 1710!
- Read more about Anne-Sophie Mutter on her website.
- Hear Anne-Sophie Mutter play Dutilleux's "Sur le Meme" or Rihm's "Lichtes Spiel". Both were written specifically for her.
- Read Anne-Sophie Mutter's interview with The Violinist.