Isaac Stern in China
Isacc Stern interview in China discusses the art of violin playing;
‘The most difficult thing of all is to be simple. It’s possible for very young children and for experienced professionals, but in between there’s a long way.
Isaac Stern talks about musicianship and what it takes to be an artist as opposed to a great performer. He spoke about the art of playing not only as a musician but the art of life and how music helps us through life! It takes a very peculiar combination of humility and arrogance. You need arrogance to believe in ideas of your own and humility enough to know you will never find the final answer’
Stern visits China
Isaac Stern visited China in 1979 and met with Chinese musicians and students. He taught them about classical Western music. His visit was made into a film. It is called "From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China." It won an Academy Award in 1981 for best documentary film .https://youtu.be/FxUIRiwxtDM Mr. Stern loved to play music by many different composers. He found the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to be among the most difficult. He said he believed that music makes life better for every one, especially children. He said music is an important part of a civilized life. He said people need music as much as they need bread. His philosophy that a concert is not the final event, a concert is like a laboratory, that is where you experiment.
Stern´s protégés
The fact that Stern had so many protégés was indicative of his concern with nurturing young talent. Although he never taught formally, he gave countless master classes and coaching sessions. Today, Stern's "children" include violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman www.itzhakperlman.com/, Shlomo Mintz and Cho-Liang Lin, pianist Yefim Bronfman, and cellist Yo Yo Ma Yo-Yo Ma http://www.yo-yoma.com/ .