Author: Paul Jenkins

Director - Golden Fiddle Awards Ltd

16yo refugee dreams of being a famous violinist

Aboud and his mother now settled safely in Australia
After fleeing war-torn Syria with his family for a safer and more prosperous life in Australia, the 16-year-old has dreams of one day being a famous violinist.

16yo Aboud Kaplo taught himself to play violin from YouTube videos in Syria’s civil war torn Aleppo. Despite being unable to read music when he first taught himself to play the violin, Aboud’s determination has led many to recognise his rare talent.

“It’s a safer place to live, where I don’t have to worry about bombs and war and all that kind of stuff.”

He now performs with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra after auditioning and receiving a scholarship.

Read the full story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-15/syrian-refugee-self-taught-violinist-dreams-of-being-famous/11418862

Thanks to ABC’s 7:30 Report

Gaelynn Lea – Redefining what it is to be a fiddler.

Gaelynn Lea – Redefining what it is to be a fiddler.

Gaelynn Lea - Redefining what it is to be a fiddler.
Gaelynn Lea – a different approach to the violin

Gaelynn Lea was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes complications in the development of bones and limbs.

Lea became impassioned by classical music from an early age, and in fifth grade a teacher took notice and encouraged Lea to pursue music after she had the class’s only perfect score on a music listening test.[2] Lea developed a technique for violin which involved holding the bow “like a baseball bat” with the body of the instrument placed in front of her, like a cello, and attached to her foot so it wouldn’t slip when she played.[3]

Lea attended Macalester College, where she majored in political science; prior to her music career, she had planned to pursue a career as a lawyer and disability rights advocate.[2]

Read more about Gaelynn Lea here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-violinist-gaelynn-lea-is-redefining-who-can-be-a-musician

Vale Paddy Fahey: Haunting composer for traditional fiddle

Born: August 1916

Died: May 31st, 2019

Paddy Fahey: Modesty prevented him from going into a studio as he didn’t want to appear “swell-headed” to his neighbours.

Irish traditional music lost one of its finest composers and players in the passing of Paddy Fahey at the age of 102. His tune compositions, some 60 in number, were lyrical and elegant, melancholic and haunting, and have entered the repertoire of almost every fiddle player in the country. His jigs, reels and hornpipes have left an indelible imprint on our musical tradition.

Read full Irish Times article here: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/paddy-fahey-obituary-haunting-composer-for-traditional-fiddle-1.3933301

CHARLIE DANIELS SETTLES THE FIDDLE-VS-VIOLIN DEBATE IN ‘COUNTRY MUSIC’

CHARLIE DANIELS SETTLES THE FIDDLE-VS-VIOLIN DEBATE IN ‘COUNTRY MUSIC’

Charlie Daniels

Over the years, you might’ve heard country music fans stress the difference between an old-time fiddle player and a high-brow violinist. Per a story he tells in a trailer for Ken Burns’ upcoming Country Music docu-series, Charlie Daniels, of all people, reckons there’s no real difference at all.

Daniels’ revelation came in part from a chance meeting with one of the true modern-day masters of classical music: “I went to see Itzhak Pearlman at the Opera House in Nashville, and somebody took me backstage before the show,” Daniels recalls. “I said, ‘Hi, Mr. Pearlman. I’m Charlie Daniels. I’m a fiddle player.’ He said, ‘We are all fiddle players.’

See full story here: https://theboot.com/charlie-daniels-country-music-ken-burns-documentary/