About four years ago, I was flipping through the TV channels when I came across a handsome, solo violinist in concert. He was dressed in faded blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a blue jacket. He had a bit of stubble, and his blond hair was tied back in a short ponytail.
Not only did his casual appearance stop me in my tracks, his music also had my undivided attention. It wasn't entirely classical, and he was backed by his band and an orchestra. As I continued to listen, I realized that David Garrett was a crossover classical artist, and what I was listening to had to be a fusion of classical elements with rock or pop. Garrett was performing a track from one of his albums, David Garrett, and the music was an amazing blend of two popular and well respected genres.
If that weren't enough, I was even more transfixed by Garrett's outstanding command of his instrument and his physical ability to play at stunning speed. The speed and precision in which he played some of his pieces were phenomenal. (He is in the Guinness World Records for playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in 66 seconds. Now that's lightning speed!)
I was so in awe of Garrett's incredible talents that the next day I ran, not walked, to the nearest music store and bought the CD. I became a big fan after listening to it several times.
The Crossover Music
On his CD, David Garrett, the crossover violinist did his own arrangements and integrated classical elements into songs by popular recording artists and rock bands. For example, Garrett fused Mozart's "Turkish March" with a Michael Jackson song. And on another piece, Garrett fused Paganini's "Caprice No. 24" with a Metallica song.
Garrett also did his own interpretations of the theme song from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean," and from Vivaldi's "Summer" and Bach's "Air." In addition, he included a track of his own composition.
Who is This Virtuoso Extraordinaire?
So, who is this guy and how long has he been around? The short answer is he's a world-class, accomplished violinist who has been around for a long time.
David Garrett is from Germany and has been playing the violin since age four. During his childhood, he studies under world-renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin. At age ten, he makes his first appearance with the Hamburg Philharmonic. At age thirteen, he is the first youngest soloist to sign a contract with Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft, a German classical record label.
Garrett's rapid rise to fame and popularity in such a short period of time is truly remarkable, and his repertoire is equally as impressive. He becomes a superstar in Germany and throughout Europe.
In 1999, Garrett leaves Germany and moves to New York to study with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. He wants to perfect his technique and study composition. It is also at this time when he is in contact with people his age, and he becomes aware of the types of music that appeal to them. One of the popular genres is rock music that would later become a major influence in his work.
After Juilliard, Garrett returns to Germany and decides to branch out and reach a younger audience. It's important to him that they experience classical music, so he brings classical music to them in a new relatable form: crossover.
"You've got to give people a little bit of something that they know, something that they feel comfortable with, and then they are going to feel comfortable with classical pieces like Bach, Brahms, etc.," Garrett said.
"Rock Symphonies"
In 2010 Rock Symphonies comes out and again I run, not walk, to the music store to buy the crossover CD.
Garrett works on this album for two years before recording it. He calls it his "most extraordinary and ambitious project." On the album he devotes the majority of the tracks to rock anthems by Nirvana, Aerosmith, U2, Metallica, and more. And he includes his incredible interpretations of Beethoven's "The Fifth" and Bach's "Toccata." But the most exceptional piece is "Vivaldi vs. Vertigo," in which Garrett does a mashup of U2's "Vertigo" with Vivaldi's "Winter" Concerto from The Four Seasons.
The crossover music on Rock Symphonies is of the highest quality. The interpretations of the classical pieces and the fusion of classical elements with rock or pop are skillfully and tastefully done. Furthermore, the crossover is surprisingly compatible, and the beautiful sound of the violin adds a wonderful dimension.
The album becomes a huge hit in Europe and Asia. In America, Garrett is named the best-selling new classical artist.
An Innovative Classical Violinist, A Traditional Classical Violinist at Heart
David Garrett is a courageous individual who ventures out of his classical world and finds his voice in crossover. He creates a unique blend of classical and rock that can be enjoyed by different types of people. Garrett provides a bridge that connects people and music together in a new refreshing way.
Even though Garrett has changed direction, he says "my home is still in classical music."
Image Credits: Mari Smith via photopin cc
Mari Smith via photopin ccDavid Garrett is from Germany and has been playing the violin since age four. During his childhood, he studies under world-renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin. At age ten, he makes his first appearance with the Hamburg Philharmonic. At age thirteen, he is the first youngest soloist to sign a contract with Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft, a German classical record label.
Garrett's rapid rise to fame and popularity in such a short period of time is truly remarkable, and his repertoire is equally as impressive. He becomes a superstar in Germany and throughout Europe.
In 1999, Garrett leaves Germany and moves to New York to study with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. He wants to perfect his technique and study composition. It is also at this time when he is in contact with people his age, and he becomes aware of the types of music that appeal to them. One of the popular genres is rock music that would later become a major influence in his work.
After Juilliard, Garrett returns to Germany and decides to branch out and reach a younger audience. It's important to him that they experience classical music, so he brings classical music to them in a new relatable form: crossover.
"You've got to give people a little bit of something that they know, something that they feel comfortable with, and then they are going to feel comfortable with classical pieces like Bach, Brahms, etc.," Garrett said.
"Rock Symphonies"
In 2010 Rock Symphonies comes out and again I run, not walk, to the music store to buy the crossover CD.
Garrett works on this album for two years before recording it. He calls it his "most extraordinary and ambitious project." On the album he devotes the majority of the tracks to rock anthems by Nirvana, Aerosmith, U2, Metallica, and more. And he includes his incredible interpretations of Beethoven's "The Fifth" and Bach's "Toccata." But the most exceptional piece is "Vivaldi vs. Vertigo," in which Garrett does a mashup of U2's "Vertigo" with Vivaldi's "Winter" Concerto from The Four Seasons.
The crossover music on Rock Symphonies is of the highest quality. The interpretations of the classical pieces and the fusion of classical elements with rock or pop are skillfully and tastefully done. Furthermore, the crossover is surprisingly compatible, and the beautiful sound of the violin adds a wonderful dimension.
The album becomes a huge hit in Europe and Asia. In America, Garrett is named the best-selling new classical artist.
An Innovative Classical Violinist, A Traditional Classical Violinist at Heart
David Garrett is a courageous individual who ventures out of his classical world and finds his voice in crossover. He creates a unique blend of classical and rock that can be enjoyed by different types of people. Garrett provides a bridge that connects people and music together in a new refreshing way.
Even though Garrett has changed direction, he says "my home is still in classical music."
Image Credits: Mari Smith via photopin cc
Mari Smith via photopin cc
Works Cited:
www.david-garrett.com/us/about/
Retrieved 4 Jan. 2014.
"David Garrett Interview." Time Out Chicago 10 Apr. 2009.
www.timeout.com.hk/music/features/22486/david-garrett-interview.html
Retrieved 4 Jan. 2014.
Wu, Dorothy. "DAVID GARRETT - Evolution of an Icon, Metamorphosis of an
Artist." Notes on The Road 6 Nov. 2012.
www.notesontheroad.com/david-garrett.html
Retrieved 10 Jan. 2014.
