Dear Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg,
My name's C.A. Casey and I'm a music editor for Strange Horizons, a
professional ezine dedicated to speculative fiction
(http://www.strangehorizons.com). And you're saying "okay, what does this have
to do with me?" Author Kelley Eskridge wrote a story several years back
called "Strings" that was published in Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine and
picked up for a "Year's Best" Anthology for 1994. The inspiration for this
story was none other than yourself, and I thought the idea of a real-life
musician inspiring a fantasy story would make an interesting article.
In doing research for the article - an analysis of how an event in real life
can inspire a creative reaction in someone and how the story uses music as a
metaphor to express ourselves creatively - I found the following quote from
Kelley in response to a reader's question about "Strings":
"The idea for Strad (the protagonist of "Strings") came from a television
profile I saw about a violinist named Nadja Sonnenberg. She was so amazingly
passionate about her music: she vibrated the entire time she played. She was
right there, inside the music. I found it attractive and I identified with it.
I felt there were so many things inside me that wanted to come out (including
writing), and here was a person who a) knew what was in her, and b) knew how to
bring it out.
So that's where it started: with a desire to let it all come blasting out.
Music seemed like a perfect metaphor, and the best way to make the blasting-out
point was to put Strad in a situation where she was required to keep it all in,
and then examine what it would take to make it come out anyway. There's not a
lot of distance between that and examining why people are afraid of difference,
because I think it's the sense of being different that makes a lot of us keep
our passions, our selves, reined in. I could be so much larger than I am. I
want that. I'm working on it in life as well as in fiction."
I know your time is limited, but I was wondering if you could provide a few
thoughts on how Kelley views you and your approach to music, so I can give the
added perspective of perception. When reading the above passage, I wonder about
how much of Kelley's own perceptions of herself was projected on her reaction
to seeing you on television; if you, yourself, feel on the inside, the same
liberation of expression that she sees, etc.
If you want to read the story, Kelley has reprinted it at
http://www.kelleyeskridge.com/Stories/StringsIntro.htm.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you can offer any thoughts
that I can add to my article, I would be forever grateful. Sincerely,
C.A. Casey
Dear C.A. Casey
There are times when I get letters like yours and simply do not have
the time to respond to them, but luckily this was not one of those
times...perhaps because my season has not yet started....in any case
I read your letter and Miss Eskridge's story as well. I liked it very
much....interesting and provocative and I was happy to be at least in
some small part the inspiration for it.
You ask how an event in real life can inspire a creative reaction in
someone...I can say that my first reaction was that perhaps when she
saw the profile on me I became in some way the character of "Piano"
for her.
Everyone needs a catalyst for any major event in their life...good or
bad. I believe this. The trick is recognizing the catalyst when it is
right there in front of you.
Thank you for writing in,
- NSS
Hello Nadja
My name is Patrick Serné, I live with my wife in Penticton, BC, Canada.
Penticton is not what you would call a hub of cultural activity and it is,
possibly because of that, we had never before, we saw the KCTS Evening at
the Pops performance on August 29, 2002, heard of you, Regina Carter or
Eileen Ivers.
We actually just tuned to that channel when you performed a solo piece that
we enjoyed tremendously. Although it is a well known piece we don't know
what it is called nor do we know who the composer is or was. I would like to
know if you have recorded it on CD and if it is presently available?
We also enjoyed the trio performing the Chris Brubeck performance and we
would like to obtain it if it is available.
We hope KCTS will repeat the whole program again soon.
In the meantime I have viewed your web site and I am most impressed with
your repertoire and musical style.
I would appreciate it if you or someone could answer my questions and I
further wish you a happy continuation of a marvelous carrier.
Greetings, from a new fan,
Patrick Serné
Hello new fan Patrick
I am very glad you enjoyed the Boston Pops program. The solo piece
that I played was and still is by Saint-Saens and it's called
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. I have recorded it on the EMI
label along with the Mendelssohn concerto and some other works as
well.
The Brubeck piece "Interplay" is brand new and has not been recorded
as of yet...sorry about that.
Thanks for tuning in and thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Ms Salerno-Sonnenberg,
Finally got to see "Fiddlers Three" here in the Washington area last Tuesday
evening and was absolutely enthralled with the performance. Have played it
over and over and each time enjoy it just as much. How do you play SO
beautifully?!!!
Felt even more fortunate too to get to view the concert since Romantic Hours
never aired here at all so I did not get to hear you read the poetry and was
deeply disappointed. If your mother, by chance, has an extra copy of Romantic
Hours she might be willing to part with, I should be glad to send my address
and whatever amount needed to any address you would like in order to purchase
it. If not, then perhaps u know a station address I could write to for a copy.
I can think of but one change I would have wished for in the Boston Pops
production. Though I understand that Mr. Brubeck knew to give you the more
intricate parts of his piece, "Interplay," since I'm sure he was well aware
you could handle them, (you were SO spectacular on the cadenza), still, I
wish he had written in some of the slower more melodic passages for you as
well, as he did for the others. Though the piece definitely showcased your
extraordinary virtuosity, I kept thinking how sensitive, passionate and
beautiful your "oh so loved" and VERY creative interpretations of the more
melodic passages can be in the works of the likes of such composers as
Brahms, Bruch, Sibelius, etc, and well I guess I just kept "itchin" to hear
you do some of that. I feel it would have contributed so much overall to what
I already perceive as an extremely well written and "fun" piece. But I
understand too, I guess, that the composer in his piece had the difficult
task of equalingl things out among the three of you. Speaking of creativity,
your interpretation of Saint-Saens " Rondo Capriccioso was also fantastic!!
Well, that's about it I guess. Just wanted you to know how fabulous your
entire performance was as usual and that I will forever be amazed by the
beauty of your talent.You bring such pleasure to so many people. No need to
tell you to keep up the good work cause I'm sure you will. My Best...Dorothy
Dear Dorothy
Thank you so much for your beautiful letter. I am happy you enjoyed
"Fiddler's Three". It really was a wonderful and different
experience. Yes Dave did a great job writing for the 3 of us and
incorporating our styles and he did it quickly too which is not at
all easy. But ya know, I really wanted to play some of the slow stuff
with the girls too!!! Maybe next time. I'm sorry I can't help much
with attaining a copy of Romantic Hours....perhaps writing into the
website or maybe they will re-air it someday. I will be playing
Kennedy Center in september....hope to see you there.
Thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
Sometime ago I read that you had had an injury to your fingertip --
sliced off the soft part of the tip with some kitchen appliance. I
remember reading about it, and even a though of something like that
happening to me made my knees tremble.
Today, it happened to me: I was making a salad, using some untested
kitchen appliance, and sliced off the fingertip -- that part of the
finger that touches the key, the softest and most sensitive part. I
immediately ran to the emergency room, which was brutal just as all
of them are.
You are the only person I know of it ever happened to, too. So I am
writing you for advice and... well guidance, to a degree. I am an
organist, a recent Juilliard graduate (MM, DMA), and in my case it
will be easier. Still, it is the right hand, 4th finger. I have no
idea, how it will heal. Will there be a thick scar? And how fast
does such cut heal? A month? In the emergency room they were
completely oblivious, just slapped a bandage on it, and said very
little about what to expect. Yours,
Paul Stetsenko
Dear Paul
It is hard to know what to tell you as I don't know the extent of your injury.
The biggest problem I had recovering was scar tissue. More than 3
hours had passed between severing the finger and reattachment for me
and so there was a lot of dead skin which caused the scar tissue
problem later. I don't know if you cut into your nerve or even if
there were any stitches, but I can tell you that massaging the
affected area helps alot and just take comfort in the fact that
placing your finger on a keyboard will be alot less painful than
placing it on a thin steel string. Try hard also, not to rush the
recovery time period. We all heal differently...let your body do it's
thing. Don't worry...it will.
Good luck to you and thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
Just a note to say how much I enjoyed your thoughts about summertime.
You woke me up to the fact that it really is August and some of those
traditional summertime fun things we had yet to do! So, I rounded up
the family, including one of your celtic fiddler friends, Eileen, and
took them down to the shore in a rented family truckster, aka
"minivan". We had a great day frolicking in the ocean. Eileen even
tried boogie boarding with my children. I like to ride the waves and
have them lift me up and down, no easy feat, but it felt good.
So, thanks for the inspiration and the fiddler did enjoy getting away
for the day. She, like you, has been melting in the sun. It is good
to be a musician, nurse or teacher in order to have weekdays off in
the summer.
Enjoy the rest of your time and I hope you get to try a boogie board soon!
Hey, congratulations on your record 29 seconds on the final page of
Rondo! Have you beat your record yet? Also, I am looking forward to
seeing where you will be playing when the weather cools down.
Summer wishes,
Maureen Ivers Bolduc and family
Hi Maureen
I just have to say.....that I would give good money to see Eileen
boogie boarding.
And no I haven't broken my 29 second record yet!!!!
Best wishes to all of you and thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
I am a violinist from the UK and read the book 'Teaching Genius'
about Dorothy Delay and found it all extremely interesting, however,
from a violinists point of view, it didn't talk at all about her
methods etc- I wonder if you could tell me anything about these!! I
spoke with a lady in the LPO who studied with her for a brief period,
and all she really talked about was the warm up methods she had....
I would be very interested to know and to hear your comments etc.
I liked your website a lot by the way,
Best wishes,
Ben.
Hi Ben
You are right in that there really are no books or detailed
explanations of Dorothy DeLay's teaching techniques. I could tell you
and show you what I learned from her, but it would take a few years.
It is certainly way too much information for this webpage ...however
I do remember an old book series called "The way they play" and there
was an entire chapter on DeLay and her thoughts.
She has students scattered all over the world spreading her word as
teachers and performers and this in itself is an amazing legacy.
Perhaps you will run into one sometime.
Thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
I am trying to find a copy of your Franck/Brahms sonata CD (EMI CDC 7
494 10 2) but it is out of print, and don't have a clue where to find
it. Are you aware of any place where I might find it?
I saw you last Friday night performing with the Chicago Symphony at
Ravinia. Absolutely marvelous!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was the first time
I've seen you, but I'm a forever fan.
Thanks.
Wayne Duddleston
Hi Wayne
That Franck/Brahms CD I did with Cecile Licad is out of print now.
I think my mom has a copy of it though....want me to ask her?
Sorry I can't help too much with this. Maybe the label can help? E-Bay?
A street fair?
Thank you so much for coming to the Ravinia concert though and thanks
for writing in.
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
My husband Lee and I had the great pleasure of hearing the
Shostakovich concerto when you played at Ravinia a few weeks ago. We
saw you gazing at the pink clouds in the distance and saw that you
were just as transported by the music as the rest of us, even though
you've heard it many more times. In our company were some friends
from Russia, and they expressed the feeling that you played like a
Russian, with a Russian soul in your interpretation. My question is:
will you be recording that piece?
You have our admiration and our gratitude, Nadja, for the beauty you
offer the world.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Sachnoff
p.s. Lee met you on his way to the bathroom and was so happy to have
done so. Sorry I missed it.
Dear Cheryl
Thank you for coming to the concert at Ravinia. I remember noticing
the beautiful sunset somewhere in the third movement. And you can
tell your russian friends that I have some russian blood in me. Maybe
that's why I like vodka so much??
To answer your question, I have recorded the Shostakovich. With the
composers son Maxim conducting in fact and it is available on the
Angel/EMI label.
I was happy to meet Lee too.
Thanks for writing in,
- NSS
Dear Nadja,
I first saw you on the Johnny Carson show and ever since then I have been
captivated by your way of playing! I have taped you on the Carson show
playing Saint-Saens' "Swan", Wieniawkski's "Polonaise de concert No.1", and
the third movement of the Mendelssohn. Did you also play Kreisler's
"Praeludium and Allegro" on his show (I think I remember seeing and taping
it, but by accident I foolishly taped over it)?
How many appearances did you make on the Carson show? Do you have all of
your Carson appearances on tape? If so, would it be possible for me to
purchase a copy of one?
Keep up the spectacular playing and I hope to hear from you soon,
Eric.
Hi Eric
Hey, good memory. I did play Kreisler Praeludioum and Allegro on the
Tonight Show.
God, that seems like ancient history. I appeared on the show 7
times...all with the man himself Johnny. And yes I have copies of all
the appearances but I am sorry to say, they are not for sale. The
Tonight Show simply doesn't allow that sort of thing.
But if you're really, really nice to my mother, she might sell you her copies!
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Dear NSS,
As an undergrad student in violin, I tried my hand as a very short
Piazzolla tango ("Tango en La") to break away from the Bach and
Paganini for a bit. But when he gives a slow, lyrical passage, I get
so confused. Is he expecting the player to improvise at these
moments, lending some musical freedom with the printed notes acting
only as a stepladder?
Your recordings of Piazzolla are the only ones by a classically
trained musician that convince me. What do you do?
- Sincerely,
Tracy Woodard
Hi Tracy
Well I am very lucky when it comes to playing Piazzolla because I
just ask Sergio and Odair Assad what to do. I feel like they are
experts and although they never actually tell me what to do and how
to do it, I feel better for asking them.
Piazzolla is not Beethoven. Improvise all you want and have fun with it.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Dear Nadja:
Thank you for the most spectacular performance last night in Dallas.
I took advantage of the weekend's exceptional program to bring some
of my medical school colleagues that I might get them addicted to DSO
concerts - it was a success! We are so fortunate here to have a
conductor with such great musical friends who visit us often... will
you be returning next season?
Having been an (average to not-so-good) orchestral violinist, I am
often asked if it was difficult to play the same material three or
four nights in a row and not "burn out". After your energetic
performance last night of the Brahms Double, I can't imagine how one
can deliver a night like that three times in a row; but some have
told me that a series can actually get better. What is your
experience?
Best wishes always - Bryan Young
Hi Bryan
Thank you so much for not only coming to the concert yourself, but
dragging along your colleagues as well.
Your question is interesting because for me, at least, it defies logic.
Keeping the energy up and the muscles loose and the instincts vibrant
gets harder and harder as the week progresses. My best performance is
usually the third and that is also the one I dread because I am
exhausted physically and emotionally.
I have no explanation for this whatsoever. Do you?
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Hello-
I pulled up Nadja's website and saw that there is a concert in Baltimore on
May 10. However, it doesn't say where the concert is being held :( Please
tell me as soon as possible so the tickets don't sell out, if they haven't
already. thank you very much - Janeen Nichels
Hi Janeen
So sorry about that. I am lazy about checking the details ya know?
Here's the information you wanted.
May 10th concert at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
May 11th concert at Joseph Meyerson Symphony Hall
Hope to see you there and thanks for writing in, - NSS
Dear Nadja:
This morning as I woke up, (I had left the the TV on the Sundance
channel last night) I turned on the TV and suddenly I listened and
saw this strong, enigmatic, powerful woman with all of this
movements, magical sound...simply astonishing that I have never heard
about before!! Your 1999 Paola di Florio documentary, even though I
couldn't see it all, really caught and showed your beauty and
essence. I was really impressed by your talent and your personality.
Having ups and downs in life is just part of it...very hard and
unbearable at moments, but there will always be invisible little
miracles that will pull you to a better one to make you even a better
and more beautiful person. Congratulations! Now I know that someday I
will be present in one of your concerts. How can I get your calendar
schedule for 2002? Thank you.
Always take care, and remember the best moments in life are the ones
from the heart. Sincerely, Blanca E. Chinolla
Hi Blanca
I'm so glad you enjoyed the film. If you ever want to see the whole
thing you could actually purchase it right here on my webpage. Just
in case you were really bored and had nothing to do.
You can also see my concert schedule right here at the webpage as
well. Just click on concerts.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Hello everyone
Just thought I'd let you know I'm going to be on the radio on April 15th.
I mean I'm on the radio alot but this is a little different.
This time I'm reading poetry and there will also be selections played
from some of my CD's. I have to say, I was wondering in the cab on
the way down to the recording studio why I get myself into these
situations.
Like now I'm reading poetry on the radio....why am I doing that???
But....it was a fantastic experience and honestly, I hope I get to do it again.
I don't think I was any good at it though.
The show is called Romantic Hours and if you want to find out more
about it, you can go to my webpage or check out www.romantichours.com
for local stations and times.
Okay, that's it for now.
Hope you are all staying safe and healthy and as always, thank you so
much for your support. - NSS
you are the most exquisitely beautiful woman in music today[Peggy lee
died]and Billie holiday too....
I recently saw your hbo special. overwhelming !my husband is a world
class jazz musician[trombone] and like many truly creative jazz
musicians, he always plays classical music before a gig yours
really gets the juices flowing!!
the prokoffief piece on the special was compelling and another but
I cant remember the title...frustrating not to hear a complete piece.
never had the $ to hear you in person sadly.
my husband says you are a complete package I say you are a real
piece of work gods work!!! I am 70 he is 73 this Friday would
love, love love a photo
with sincere love --
Ed and Nancy
ps have you any concept of how much beauty and joy you have brought
to so many??I hope so.......your beauty is truly awesome ah but
that we could all have your wonderful face.
Well Nancy
"ah but that we could all have your wonderful face"??
Ah but that you all could.....
Your husband says I am a complete package and you say I'm a piece of work?
Geez, you guys are great!!! Thanks.....but be careful you two with
all those juices flowing!!
And by the way, I am very happy to take a back seat to Peggy Lee and
Billie Holiday.
Happy birthday to Ed and thanks for writing in, - NSS
My Name is Matthew, I am a senior viola performance major and
now am leaning towards a career in conducting. In so many ways, it
was seeing you perform when I was eight years old that really
inspired me to continue with playing. I remember driving to the
Bushnell (I am originally from Connecticut) with my mother and
getting lost, and running to get to our seats. (It's funny, the
things you remember from youth.) I saw you play and fell in love with
the violin at that moment. I know now that music is so much more than
the technique that we use to produce it, and even now, when I just
want to feel different emotions without thinking about intonation,
bow changes, etc, I can listen to you play. I especially loved the
Shostakovich concerto, I have never felt so much anger, fear and
frustration. In some ways as a teenager, it personified the
stereotypical "teenage angst." I know that this is a common letter to
you, however I hope that it touches you in some way. I have learned
so much from just listening to you, I truly appreciate it. Thank You
for being you, and thank you for allowing me to feel that it is okay
to use my emotions as the basis for the music I play.
Sincerely -- Matthew
Dear Matthew
Thank you so much for all your kind words and I am very happy I was
at least a little responsible for you falling in love with the violin.
And yes I agree with you about music being so much more than technique.
Naturally, I would agree with that but....I also feel that there is
no freedom, artistic or otherwise, without a solid foundation. So
thinking about intonation and bow changes is a necessity because it
doesn't matter how much you "feel" for a piece, if the playing is out
of tune and a general mess for lots of reasons, then nobody is going
to enjoy that too much. Well, maybe your mother but that's about it.
But here's the thing....all that technical work is why we practice.
It is meant for the practice room....not the performance stage.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
I've always made it a point to come hear you play when you are in
Minneapolis/St. Paul. I'm no critic, and it certainly is difficult
to write about performances, but your recent visit here playing the
Brahms was absolutely stunning. How you can keep playing with such
"balls to the wall" abandon is beyond me, but sincere thanks. It is
so heartening and revelatory to the music to hear a soloist willing
to take risks!
Have you ever (or ever considered) taking Glass' concerto on tour?
Whenever I play my CD of it, I always imagine what you would do with
it, especially the second movement. (As big as your sound is, I'm
always most moved by your slow movement interpretations.)
I really enjoy your CD with the Assads, as well as the Humoresque
recording, which can bring me to tears. Your commentary on the
booklet of the latter was extraordinarily personal.
Great web site, too. The 'My Thoughts' page is a nice addition.
There does come a point, I think, when our government's actions
demand we speak out against it. OK, I'm done spewing now. But I
hope our MN orchestra starts to engage you more
--
Dave Keyes
Dear Dave
"Balls to the wall?" --
That's a compliment right?
I have to say that I appreciate so much your comment about my slow
movement interpretations. My reputation tends toward the passionate
and exciting and the risk taking which is fine....I mean I am
certainly not complaining, but when I learn or play any piece, it is
always for the slow movement. It is what inspires me and satisfies me
the most and without a doubt (at least in my mind) it is what I do
best.
My time and experience in Minneapolis this trip was golden.
I will definitely be back soon.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Ms. Sonnenberg,
Once upon a time, a fellow saw a young, attractive, vivacious,
violinist on a CBS, 60 minutes episode. He was impressed but, not being a
classical music buff, he did not pursue her recordings, or follow her
career. For some reason though, he couldn't forget that name, "Nadja
Salerno Sonnenberg", an exotic sounding mouthful. Nor could he forget the
image of the passionate young musician he saw on the screen.
Years passed, and this fellow eventually found himself deeply in love
with a wonderful woman of wisdom and good taste (her choice of spouse not
withstanding). They began attending concerts, and she introduced him to her
favorite piece of music, "Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D - Op. 35". He,
in turn asked if she knew of a certain violinist he had heard of years
before. Surprisingly she had not, so he located some information for her
and it was decided that if Ms Sonnenberg ever came to Cincinnati they must
go and see her perform.
A couple more years passed, during which the couple continued to attend
concerts, learning new pieces, enjoying many talented soloists. Then one
day, the mailman delivered the brochure for the upcoming symphony season.
You can imagine the delight when our couple saw that Nadja was coming to
Cincinnati. Not only that, but she would play -- You guessed it --
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.
The evening came, the couple took their seats, and were ------
swept up ---
enthralled ---
overwhelmed ---
carried away
Thank you, Ms Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg, from the bottom of our hearts
for giving so much of yourself to the audience. For sweeping us up with you
in the joy and passion of the moment and the music. You are a force of
nature in music and in life. We will never forget that evening with you,
and hope we may share another someday.
Nadja, please come and play for us again in Cincinnati.
With Sincere Appreciation,
Jim and Karol
Dear Jim and Karol
Once upon a time a violinist read a letter written to her webpage and
enjoyed it so much that she decided to post it on her site.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Nadja,
I am excited that you have an invitation to play with the Boston Pops
and their terrific new conductor, Keith Lockhart. He's from my home
town and I've followed his career along with yours. What fun to see
the two of you together.
Question: On tour, what difference does the conductor make to your
performance? I have seen you several times in different cities and
notice that some conductors don't seem to know much about you. Yeah,
they know the music, but they don't appear to have any special
awareness or "chemistry" connection with you. Is that an important
factor? How do you deal with this mentally?
I'll hope for a response in a future article on your web site.
PS,
Saw you twice here in Minneapolis this year. You look great and your
performance was fantastic. I'll be seeing you again in Brevard this
summer, too! I am a huge fan. --
Allen
Dear Allen
I can tell you that the chemistry between a soloist and conductor is
not always obvious to the audience. And furthermore, it is not always
essencial either. Certainly it helps.... but more on a personal level
than professional. As long as both parties know the material and are
committed to it, the performance will be successful. But feeling a
warmth and kinship and sometimes a wonderful history with your
conductor makes the whole experience alot more fun and in some
strange way, alot less stressful.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Hello Nadja:
I was thrilled to hear you play on Feb. w/KC Symphony. Heck, I even
had center orchestra seats! I have become one of your biggest fans
in the past year or so. I actually remember seeing you on the 60
Minutes feature when it first aired, then saw Speaking in Strings and
was mesmerized. I have since bought that video, many of your cds,
have started both of my sons in Suzuki violin, and purchased my own
violin to learn along with them. (I was a music major, but only for
a year, piano and trumpet.) I even managed to find a copy of your
out-of-print book on eBay, and enjoyed reading it very much.
I hope I don't sound like just another gushing fan. I admire all
that you have accomplished in the classical music "industry," and
appreciate the battles you must have fought to succeed in such a
"male-dominated" world. I have been struggling with depression and
ADD the past several years, and can (perhaps) understand the turmoil
you must have experienced trying to persist. Sometimes just getting
through the day is a struggle, and I am sure that the pressures of
performing, traveling, being away from friends and family, were at
times overwhelming.
I just wanted to let you know that experiencing your great talent has
changed the way I look at things, re-ignited my love of classical
music, and - you have become the one celebrity that I admire most.
It's difficult to explain all of this, I have never written a fan
letter before. (go ahead, keep reading...)
I looked at your concert schedule and was able to confirm that you
will be performing with the Missouri Symphony Society in July.
(Missouri is mis-spelled on your website, by the way.) I don't know
if you ever do this kind of thing, but I would very much like to meet
you in person when you come play in Columbia, MO this summer. If
there is anything I can to do make that happen, I hope you will let
me know.
I look forward to hearing you play here in Missouri in July, and to
following your career in the years to come.
Respectfully --
Kim B.
Hi Kim
Thank you very much for your letter of great support.
And thank you for buying so much of my "stuff"
I think it's wonderful that your sons are playing the violin and even
cooler that you are learning with them. Sorry about the spelling of
Mizoori on my webpage. I guess the best way to meet me is to come
backstage after the concert.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Hello,
I was just wondering if Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg will be performing
this year on the West Coast, particularly in the San Francisco bay
area? We would all certainly love a performance of such a wonderful
talent. Your help would be appreciated.
Never thought that I, a rock and roll fan would come to love violin
music until I heard a recording of this talented young womans work.
Please come to CA Nadja!!!
Thank you
-- Jenny
Hi Jenny
Am very happy to have converted you into a violin music lover.
I play California regularly (it's a big state ya know) but
unfortunately I am not playing the San Francisco area this season,
and I am not at all sure of my schedule for next season yet. The best
way to check where I'll be performing is this webpage.
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
Hello Nadja,
My name is Caitlin and we wnet to see you in Tampa but you were not there
because you hurt your wrist. I play the violin too and I was sad that you
were not there. My dad got me the veideo of you and a CD that has all the
pieces. I like the Shostakovitch the best #10 on the CD. I hope your wrist
is better and maybe you will come to Tampa again. I have just had my
birthday and I am 9. I dont practis 13 hours a day like you said but my dad
gets me to practis 1 hour every day.
Love, -- Caitlin
ps please write back.
Dear Caitlin
I am sorry that I didn't come to Tampa because I hurt my hand, but I
am all better now and I promise to come play there real soon.
I don't practis 13 hours a day anymore either. That's too much I
think, don't you?
But it's great that your dad makes you practis 1 hour a day. I think
that's a good amount for a 9 year old to practis.
Tell your dad I think he's a really good dad and I hope I can meet you someday.
Thanks for writing in Caitlin and belated happy birthday. - NSS
Hi
My husband and I heard you play the Franck Sonata a few years back
in Philadelphia and loved it! We were wondering why you have never
recorded it as it seems to be such a perfect vehicle for your talent,
and, in our joint opinion, no one plays it better. Best regards, -- Meryl
Dear Meryl
Thank you for the compliment. In fact I have recorded the Franck
Sonata with pianist Cecile Licad on the Angel EMI label. However I am
not sure if it is still available.
You are welcome to check though!
Thanks for writing in, - NSS
More letters
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.
© 2001-2006 Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg
comments@nadjasalernosonnenberg.com