I first heard about Vanessa-Mae in December '95 and I'm very glad I did! It all began on Christmas when a friend of mine got The Violin Player from her parents. Her parents had never heard of Vanessa-Mae, they just thought it looked interesting. A few days later, I was at her house and she got it out for me to listen to (since we both play the violin). She put it on the CD player and I fell in love with Tocatta and Fugue in D minor.
Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson (her full name) is half Thai and half Chinese. She was born in Singapore on October 27, 1978, one hundred and ninety-six years after Paganini. At age four she moved to London. She was adopted by her English stepfather. Vanessa's first music lesson was on piano at age three. She began taking violin lessons at age five. After winning a prestiges youth piano award, Vanessa-Mae chose to persue the violin seriously. At age ten, Vanessa played with the Philharmonia. She had her first international tour at age twelve with the London Mozart Players in Mozart Bicentenary.
Vanessa-Mae has received heaping praises for her exceptional, expressive playing. Just to quote a few, 'she is a true child prodigy', 'phenomenally talented', 'for this- her spirituality- you have to go back to Heifetz, Menuhin, and Kreisler' She plays an acoustic violin made in 1761 by Giovanni Guadagnini and an electric violin, a white, four string Quartet Series Jazz Violin (MIDI compatible) by Zeta. Her acoustic violin was once stolen from her home. Police managed to track it down and return it to Vanessa in time for a concert for Prince Edward at Buckingham Palace. Then, while on tour, Vanessa-Mae accidently stepped off stage while holding her acoustic violin and it was in pieces. It took weeks to repair, but neither the value nor the sound quality were harmed.
Vanessa-Mae has numerous full albums singles released already. Her most recent recording was entitled Classical Album One and was even released in the United States. She was the youngest violin player ever to have recorded Tchaikovsky and Beethoven Violin Concertos. Vanessa-Mae also has a video, "Live at Royal Albert Hall" from her recent Red Hot tour. The Violin Player was Vanessa-Mae's first techno-acoustic fusion album. She has also released more traditional classical albums, but she wanted to do something different with the violin.
Exerps from the inlay card from the album 'The Violin Player'
Violin playing is a physical art with great traditions behind it. At its best, it conveys qualities of beauty, strength, and mystique. It can evoke emotions, create moods, and stimulate the human mind.
....Playing good music on the violin has a very high 'feel good' factor. I first felt this when I was eight and I am lucky never to have lost the feeling.
So what I like, I will want to play. I have no wish to compartmentalize music. To me, music with its beauty, strength and mystique is for enjoying and for playing. This is the way of the violin player.
I have had fun stretching myself and both my violins working on this album, and I hope that you will listen and enjoy.
Violin (debut)
Kids' Classics
Tchaikovsky and Beethoven Violin Concertos
Toccata and Fugue (single)
The Violin Player
Toccata and Fugue, The Mixes (single)
Red Hot (single)
Classical Gas (single)
The Alternative Record
Classical Album 1
I'm a Doun for Lack O'Johnnie (single)
Classical Album 1 Enhanced CD
Happy Valley (single)
Classical Album 2- China Girl
Storm (single)
I Feel Love (single)
Classcial Album 3- The Original Four Seasons
There is talk about the elusive new album and the accompanying single. People are expressing disappointment in Vanessa's management- never announcing new albums, public appearances, and not taking advantage of some large markets. I am putting my recent post to the list online for all Vanessa-Mae fans and critics to read because I took a radical view. Follow the link!
Posted Tuesday, November 17 Going stale?
This page is run by Frank Langbein, as is the Vanessa-Mae Mailing List (VM-L). The VM-L discusses new CDs, tours, articles, and just about Vanessa-Mae in general. I recommend signing up!
The Unofficial Vanessa-Mae Page
This is run by a friend of mine, Norman Choo Jun Ann, a member of the VM-L. He has an impressive page with alot of information, pictures, and articles about Vanessa-Mae. He must be an HTML wizard! Check it out.
The Ultimate Vanessa-Mae Web Site
Also a very great page with alot of info by Tommy Newman, also a member of the VM-L. This is the home of the Vanessa-Mae Survey. Add your thoughts and comments and stuff about Vanessa-Mae here!
Another good page run by Leo Somers, yet another member of the VM-L. It also contains the Vanessa-Mae Experience Page, which is about how people heard about Vanessa-Mae. Add your own story if you want!
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