Elaine Klimasko Violinist and Teacher

I speak with Elaine Klimasko, who is a Canadian violinist who joined the newly-formed National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1969 as the youngest member, and is well-known as a teacher. Her students are very frequently winners of competitions and hold important positions as chamber and orchestral musicians all over North America. In 2003 NACO Music Director Pinchas Zukerman asked her to launch the first Junior Young Artists Programme for the NAC Summer Music Institute. In this episode she tells many stories from her life, and about some legendary teachers she studied with including Josef Gingold and Lorand Fenyves. She reflects on her long career, from the perspectives of a teacher and as a player. Timestamps are listed below!

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Elaine Klimasko: "But I do say to all of my students though, if you think that playing in a symphony orchestra is secondary, that's the worst thing you could be thinking because the joy of orchestral playing, and I'm sure you feel the same way, Leah, is, there's nothing in life to me that compares with that. When you're playing one of those grand symphonies and that buildup a crescendo and you hear the horns and the French horns... I mean, I'm just covered in goosebumps. In my seventies still, and I don't know of any other profession that makes you feel that way. Maybe a doctor delivering a baby. I don't know. But it's pretty special."

Timestamps

( 00:00) Intro

( 00:51) Joining the National Arts Centre Orchestra

( 12:29) music festivals like Kiwanis

(13:04) dealing with stagefright

(15:18) more about John Moskalyk

(19:12) Lorand Fenyves

( 23:08) perfect pitch

(25:52) Josef Gingold

( 31:52) violin teaching

( 33:42) music festivals

(37:15) mentoring students who go on as professional musicians

( 41:46) the joy of orchestral playing

( 42:33) advice for orchestral auditions

(45:07) the role of orchestral players in educational outreach

( 46:46) the Young Artists Program with Pinchas Zukerman

( 51:08) Pinchas Zukerman

(55:23) story about Jascha Heifetz

( 56:08) chamber music

( 59:07) history of the NAC and Hamilton Southam

(01:02:00) advice for serious players about buying instruments and bows

( 01:07:15) reflections on teaching

( 01:12:14 )building audiences for the future