Vadim Repin in an interview

"Today I'm really practicing differently."

Vadim Repin hardly needs an introduction. The Russian star violinist is one of the most famous violinists of our time. Legendary is the statement by Yehudi Menuhin after attending a Vadim Repin concert: "He is simply the best and most perfect violinist that I have ever had the chance to hear."

Classicpoint.ch: You studied with Zakhar Bron. What do you remember when you think back to that time?
I was fortunate enough to study with a great master at a young age. Professor Bron was very strict, and I remember how nervous I was before my lessons with him as a child in Novosibirsk. He hated it when you made the same mistake twice and would become very impatient! But the hard, serious, and focused work paid off. I loved traveling the world as a young artist, even before I was a teenager and could perform concerts.

You originally wanted to learn the accordion at music school when you were four, but you couldn't get a place. The violin was less popular, and there were still places available, so you ended up playing the violin. What is your relationship to the accordion today?
I learned it a bit on my own. My father learned to play the accordion in the army. However, I never had the chance to play the instrument in public. I also sometimes play the piano for fun. Making music has always been as natural to me as breathing. I don't have a special relationship with the accordion. It's a wonderfully versatile instrument with all its voices. But it's firmly rooted in the tradition of folk music.

You became famous at an extremely young age, and in 1989 you were the youngest person ever to win the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition. Do you ever feel like you missed out on anything during your childhood and youth?
Not at all. Now that I'm a father of two, I see again how important it is for a child to have goals and to feel responsible. I encourage my children to be involved in painting, music, dance, and sports.

You are married to Svetlana Zakharova, the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet and La Scala. Do you sometimes play the violin at home, and does she dance along like she does at your music festival?
At home, we focus on being parents! We enjoy spending time together as a family, visiting the zoo, going for walks, swimming, etc. But yes, sometimes Svetlana dances for our daughter, or I play for her—she loves it.

You launched your own music festival in Novosibirsk in March 2014. What is special about this music festival?
Essentially like a Trans-Siberian Railway, we try to take people on an artistic journey through diverse landscapes. In our case, these are diverse art forms, primarily music but also dance, art exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, as well as discussion panels before and after the events.

You travel a lot and value physical and mental fitness. How do you maintain this in the daily routine of touring?
I think the most important things are good planning and strong motivation. Combined, this creates good fitness, both physical and mental. Of course, I eat consciously, pay attention to what I drink, and exercise. Tennis, skiing, swimming, and also billiards are my favorite pastimes when I have time.

Do you practice differently today than you did 20 years ago?
Yes, I really do practice differently today. You get used to it over time, although that also carries a risk. I've developed a certain routine, similar to an athlete. I need finger exercises and I have to train the most important muscle, the brain. It starts with a warm-up and ends when I'm satisfied enough to put down the violin and bow.

What was your worst stage experience?
My worst experience on stage was when the tip of my bow snapped with a loud crack—a huge shock! I had to take the concertmaster's bow from the orchestra so I could continue playing. My worst experience offstage was when I was looking for the concert venue in Ferrara, Italy, when I should have been in Carrara… a nightmare!

What was your best stage experience?
I've had so many wonderful moments on stage that it's difficult for me to choose the best one. There were moments when the music touched me so deeply that I couldn't speak for a while afterward. There were moments when everything came together perfectly: my wife was in the audience, my fellow musicians and I were in top form, the concert hall had perfect acoustics, the audience listened attentively and breathlessly—what a wonderful feeling that is!

Would you ever like to conduct an orchestra without a violin?
Yes, I could definitely imagine that. But being a conductor requires a great deal of dedication and hard work, like the kind I've invested in the violin. Time will tell whether I can experience the luxury of a similar investment.


Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.ch | November 3, 2014