Anne-Sophie Mutte is a world renowned German classical violinist. Mutter, considered by many people as one of the most charismatic and loved classical performer of today’s generation (Coburn, 2010). Mutter as a performer rooted from West Germany where she began honing her unquestionable talent in music. At the age of five, she began showing her brilliance in the piano and not long after picked up an instrument that will define her career the violin. Her craft was first professionally developed by her mentor Erna Honigberg (a former student of Carl Flesch). Her mentor passed away, but she continued studying moving under the supervision of Aida Stucki at a conservatory located in Winterhur.
The Start of a Performer
She started participating in many competitions in music under categories of her age. Between the years of 1970 and 1974, she participated and championed the competition by Jegend Musiziert contest for young music talent. Following her exposure to a number of competitions, she impressed Herbert von Karajan after she played a beautiful rendition of a musical piece at the age of thirteen. Her encounter with Karajan led to opening her talent to the international scene. In the year 1977, she gave a performance at Salzburg Festival and later on her English debut under the supervision of Daniel Barenboim. Her talent propelled her the following year to debut with Berlin Philharmonic, which helped her release her first recording of the Mozart Third and Fifth Concertos.
International Exposures
Her American debut came during the 1980 under Zubin Mehta and made her first Carnegie Hall recital performance eight years after her debut in the US. Despite the growing success of her musical career, Mutter experienced trouble in her personal life as her husband left her in 1995 and left their two small children under care. Her unsuccessful personal life, however, did not stop Mutter from mainting her already promising musical career.
Her musical identity comes from her ability to richly tone her performances. Her rich tone and emotional attack on musical pieces showed her true and genuine talent in violin. She gave impassioned and exciting performances every time she steps out of the concert stage. She not only performed classical pieces from known composer but also performed and commissioned new works for the violin. Among the long list of known composer, she worked with during her career includes notable individuals such as Wolfgang Rihm, Sebastian Currier, Norbert Moret, Witold, Lutoslawski and many more. Despite her repertoire composing mainly of classical music as said earlier, she is also known to performing contemporary pieces that appeal to the a vast musical generations. Some of the pieces she performed were exclusively written for her and her style of play, for instance, Sur le meme accord by Henri Dutilleux (David, 2004).
Off the Stage
Her personal life was again put into the spotlight after her second marriage with composer Andre Pervin in 2002. However, just like her first marriage, her marriage with Pervin was also not a success in 2006 the couple called quits to their relationship. Before their separation, both Mutter and Pervin were involved in music as Pervin is a conductor and both usually perform together. In 2006 Mutter mentioned that she will be retiring after her 45th birthday coming 2008, but she continued to perform after the said date (Inge 2006).
Reviews
Most of the reviews involving Mutter mostly agree that Mutter has a unique ability to emotionally connect with her audience, making her performances unforgettable. Coburn (2010) shared that she passionately does her performances that it appears as if she owns everyone watching her. Mutter even with her popularity continues to increase her skills and talent. She is still actively practicing her craft. Mutter personally mentioned that she will continue to play as long as she able to play because she feels that she could still bring new, important and different performances linked to music. Hurwitz shared that Mutter has developed into a striking artist and a controversial individual. Up to date she remains as one of the best violinists in the contemporary era defined by her remarkable technical ability, musical interpretation and attack that stem from a sincere and genuine love for her musical craft.
She also has the unquestionable ability to get what she intend form her audience whether it be applause or positive remarks. It is also can be observed in her performances that she will usually start in a slow movement, beginning with a soft phase non-vibrato and gradually adding more power to the piece. Her choice of performance adds to the expressivity that typifies her own identity in music. She is an intelligent performer who knows how to utilize both her talent and the audiences’ emotion in every performance.
References:
Anne Mutter’s official website. 35 Years on the Stage .Retrieved from http://www.anne-sophie-mutter.de/
Coburn S. (2010). Anne Mutter. All Music
David P. (2006). Mutter still takes her music seriously . Boston Globe
Hurwith D (n.d) Mutter’s Miraculous Dvorák Concerto
Inge K (2006). Goddess with a Gift. Strings.
Video of Performances:
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS1IG2BBy1Y
Air aus der Suite Nr. 3 von Johann Sebastian Bach 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOOgqZdztGY
