Thank you for everything you give to your music for others to enjoy...Believe me, we love you here in the Washington area too - Del
Dear Del
I'm glad you like the Brahms concerto and I hope you enjoy the concert in Arlington.

Rosie and Buster really just fend for themselves when I'm on the road. There is the occasional roach here and there but mostly they scrounge the place for dustballs and pieces of dirt. Keeps them alert and trim.

I'm kidding of course. My home is never vacant at any time and they are never alone for more than a few hours. Around here, they are royalty. Thanks for writing in. - NSS

Hey Nadja,
First of all I'd like to tell you that you're my all time favorite violinist/musician. Anyway, I'm an aspiring physicist/violinist. I started playing about 1 1/2 ago, when I was 13. Anyway, my grandmother's boyfriend is always telling what a pity it is that I didn't started when I was younger. He has the impression that I'll never be able to play on a professional level. Does starting at a younger age make a better violinist or is it practice and determination that does?

Do you have a favorite composer or piece of music? What's your favorite Star Trek episode? And I was wondering, since you like Star Trek do you have an interest in astrophysics or astronomy? Thanks a lot - Sarah
Dear Sarah
Well, I'll tell ya, if you want to travel the world and play the great violin concertos with the great conductors and orchestras, it would be advisable to start REAL young. Like any learning method, the younger the better because we absorb so much more when we're young. However, if that is not your goal then playing and practicing and enjoying has no age limit whatsoever. If it makes you happy...just do it and good for you.

No I don't have a favorite piece of music but my favorite composer is Bach. My favorite Star Trek episodes are Arena (that reptile looking guy who stalks Kirk) and Doomsday Machine (the big turd looking thing that eats spaceships). Both are from the original series.

And yes, I do have an interest in astrophysics. Not that I understand it. Thanks for writing in. - NSS

Hi, Nadja,
I saw you perform in London a few weeks ago while vacationing with my folks. You were TERRIFIC! I am happy that you now have your own site.

I have a few questions, some may seem silly and I hope you do not mind. Are your fingers insured? Do you have any friends who are not classical musicians? What is your favorite TV show? What languages do you speak? Do you think the Seattle Mariners will win the World Series? Have you played one of those cool electric violins? What other musical instruments do you play? Thanks much, - TJ
Hi too many questions TJ
Thanks for writing in. Okay, lets see.

• Yes I have disability insurance but not just for my fingers.
• Yes I have many friends who are not musicians...in fact most are not.
• My favorite TV shows are anything Star Trek and West Wing. Wednesday is my TV night!
• I speak English, Italian, Sicilian, and a little French.
• No I don't think the Mariners will win the World Series. The Yankees will win of course.
• I have not played one of those cool electric violins, but I do play the french horn, trumpet and piano.....all very badly.

Do you approach a piece of music differently if you are playing it in a concert hall as compared to the recording studio? I mean both technically and musically.

We love you up in Toronto! - Don Woodcock
Dear Don
Basically no. I play the piece the way I play the piece and even emotionally, I think that's a good way to approach any recording session. But there are little details which have to be addressed that I wouldn't normally think about at all in preparing for a concert. The microphone picks up every little noise and sound, so I try to be aware of articulation on the fingerboard ( it's a thumping sound that happens when your fingers come down with pressure) and also humming and grunting which I am sometimes guilty of....and the bane of my producer, my tapping feet. I am always provided with a rug and always wear rubber soled shoes when I record. Good question and thanks for writing in. - NSS

Dear Ms.Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg,
you first came to my attention when I was in college working as a listening library monitor. I heard a recording you did with this Phillipino pianist. The repertoire included Brahms and Franck. I was absolutely touched by the collaboration(namely your artistry, the intamacy, and sensitivity of the communicating between you two). I especially loved the Brahms Sonata.

I admire your dedication to music in general. Specifically I admire your desire to educate and to be educated about different genres of music. I think this is the mark of a true musician! God speed to you NSS. My question is, how do you deal with the loneliness that comes as part of being a concert artist? - DRB
Dear DRB
Loneliness on the road is something one learns to adjust to. At this point, it hardly upsets me at all anymore but it was quite difficult when I first started touring. First of all, you just get used to it...simple as that. And now there are cell phones and email to keep in touch with loved ones and that helps alot. About 5 years ago I decided that being on the road was tough enough, so while this is my fate I will do everything I can to enjoy it...so now, I travel first class and stay in wonderful hotels. It's not as good as being home, but it helps. Thanks for writing in. - NSS

What is your favorite venue to play in and why? And of all the places all over the world you've been, where did you like visiting the most? - Naomi
Of all the places I've visited, I would have to say Paris and East Africa. I could go on for 3 days explaining why, so please just accept Paris and East Africa. Of all the venue's I've played, I'd have to say that my all time favorite is still my living room. This is because I can make my music without panty hose or mascara and my cat and dog simply don't care. Thank you for writing in. - NSS

What is your sign? - Ana
Hi Ana. Thanks for writing in. My sign is Capricorn. Along with Jesus Christ and Rod Stewart. - NSS

Just another gushing fan here. You probably have a lot of those. I do have a question, however: Have you ever performed with one of our orchestras, Boston Pops or Boston Symphony? If not, do you have any plans of performing with any of the New England groups? I would love to see you perform in person, but it's really hard to find parking in NYC. :)

I got most of your CDs, told you, another gushing fan here. I always thought that music is the language that the angels buried deep in our hearts before we became too old to believe in such stuff - and your music gives a glimpse of that language once again. (Wow, that's profound!)

Thank you and ciao, -Chris
Hi Christina
Yes I have performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, but unfortunately, according to my schedule I will not be performing in your area this coming season. I will however be playing in New York quite a bit. Maybe our mayor could arrange a parking solution for you? Thanks for writing in. - NSS

(Regarding the previous 'my thoughts' essay on fame)
No, fame and accomplishment are neither coextensive nor, often, in tandem with one another; for accomplishement is quite personal as achievement, and fame is imputed to one by others ....perhaps in virtue of one's accomplishment or , too often, by dint of the image carefully crafted and broadcast.

Your accomplishment is manifest; and those of us who "kvell" upon hearing you play care little---though perforce you must care greatly---about the fame which has accompanied your prodigeous talent and has in that sense rewarded it. Actually, we do care about your fame, for without it we, your admirers, would have less or little chance to hear you.

Thank you for this web site. And, more importantly, thank you for your artistry. - Stephen
Stephen
Thank you for your thoughts on fame. And thank you for "kvelling". - NSS

Nadja, knowing that you love the classical works you always perform, why do you enjoy adding challenges to your repertoire, such as the gypsy CD, performances and recordings with Mandy Patinkin and Joe Jackson, etc.?
Well first of all, meeting and working with great artists from different forms of entertainment is so exciting and amusing because their approach to their work is SO different from my basic training. Joe Jackson was so laid back and quiet and gentle and Mandy Patinkin has more energy than anyone I've ever met and the Assad brothers....well they're brazilian so we're talking about cool here. Mark O'Connor is such a sweetie except that he wears the same shoes every day. Judy Blazer turns a phrase and I can hardly hold onto my bow, and when I play with my quintet it's all we can do to stop laughing for 5 minutes. I learn something musically and personally from all these artists each time we get together and then I bring that away with me forever. I am very lucky.

Why does your site look like Star Trek?
Oh....you noticed???? I started watching Star Trek when I first came to this country and I haven't stopped. There are no words to adequately describe how much I love this show, so I figured designing my webpage in homage is the least I can do.

What are your hobbies?
I don't have alot of free time so I think some of my hobbies are things that most people take for granted. Like just hanging out with your friends....this is an incredible treat for me because I am alone on the road so much. I love to cook and honestly it's what I do best. I love to fish and it's what I do second best. I read on planes all the time and see every movie ever made in hotel rooms late at night after concerts. Also, I like to fix things in the house. I am bad at electricity but for some reason I am a natural at plumbing....go know.

Everyone always seems to have horror stories about losing their luggage on a trip. Did this ever happen to you when you were traveling to a performance?
I have lost my luggage numerous times I'm sorry to say, but the worst was when my luggage was actually returned to me the next day. My laptop was gone of course but they went through my bag like a hurricane. I spent 3 hours cleaning face cream off of my jeans and underwear. Life on the road is so glamorous sometimes.


If you would like to submit a question for Nadja, please email comments@nadjasalernosonnenberg.com. Because of Nadja's schedule, not all questions will be answered.



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