Violinist

In classical music, has there ever been a violinist the equivalent of today's 'rock star'. I'm thinking of the character portrayed in the movie 'The Red Violin' who was somewhat of an ecentric player and probably could have fit in well with a 'Led Zeppelin' of any given period.

Quite a few. Most notably Paganini and Liszt, I'd say. Or Chopin. These guys were big stars and the chicks went nuts about 'em.

That was a fictitious character, but Niccolo Paganini clearly served as a blue print.

Of course, obviously Liszt or Chopin weren't violinists. They were pianists. Sorry.

If course many singers were big stars - think Charlotte Church with a voice - examples being John McCormack and Caruso.

Well, besides, the chicks were nuts about Liszt, but not so nuts about Chopin, and positively not nuts about Paganini, who had to use 'unconventional' means to get them...

Nigel Kennedy (who calls himself just Kennedy these days) certainly has the spiked hair for it. He's certainly a front-rank violinist, which is far more important. He seems to be excessively concerned with image, however.

I really like his Beethoven Violin Cto with Tennstedt, better then the two's collaboration with the Brahm Cto, which isn't that bad.

-Owen

P.S. If the 'rock star' can be female, then there's Vanessa Mae.

While hardly the rock star type, Horowitz's recitals, especially later in his career, created quite a stir.

Marc Perman

How disappointing. I was hoping he would give 'Basil' a try.

The name 'Grytpype-Thynne' seems to be available again.

Nicolo Paganini, perhaps (he being most well-known)? Perhaps also Francesco Maria Veracini. I don't think H.I.F. Biber was particularly eccentric as a person, but his music is certainly a little twisted.