Acclaimed violist Jennifer Stumm tours Ireland with Music Network in the coming weeks with a mix of talk and performance, telling a musical story of how imperfection can be the very thing that gives us our voice. Jennifer introduces An Imperfect Instrument below...
My An Imperfect Instrument tour is a mix of music and spoken word about what makes our voice our own. I have curated pieces of music I feel are close to me, weaving different musical threads to show how magnificent the Viola is.
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Listen: An Imperfect Instrument - Jennifer Stumm talks to RTÉ Arena
One of the best things about solo recitals and watching one artist is the intimate conversation between the audience and the artist. Hopefully, what I have done is braid together all these tiny facets of what makes, for me, the Viola and what makes Jennifer, Jennifer.
Watch: Jennifer Stumm on how the power of listening is a key to connection
I grew up near the Appalachian Mountains, with Bluegrass and Gospel at the core of my upbringing. There is such a history of storytelling where I grew up and a sense that music tells a story. It is a story about us, for sure, but it tells a story about lots of things. My grandparents were church musicians, who had a massive impact on me. Also, the music of Scottish and Irish origins is deeply embedded in my cultural upbringing.
For this tour, I have really done my research. I've programmed reels from both Scotland and Ireland that have been interesting to work on. I've also arranged an Appalachian song that was arranged by Alison Krauss and Sting. It is impressive to see how language spreads between places through music.
Watch: Rhapsody No. 1, by Jessie Montgomery
The programme includes some contemporary music, including music by Jessie Montgomery, one of the most influential African American composers I went to Julliard with. Of course, we have the world premiere of a new piece by Jonathan Nangle, commissioned by Music Network. It's a minimalist piece and totally different from everything else on the programme. Hopefully, this solo viola recital will be exciting for audiences, especially young violists. I think it is so crucial that you see somebody playing the instrument that you are studying.
So, Ireland! What American doesn't love Ireland, right?! I love how chatty Irish people are. I grew up in a chatty place, and if there is one thing that has been a challenge in my European life, having lived in northern Europe for so long, it is the chatty culture. Every time I go to Ireland, it is one of the few places where I can chit-chat with strangers in my own language, which is fun and something I deeply enjoy.
Here is something people might not know about me. I gave a speech at NASA to a room full of crazy technology people. They wanted me to prove how the arts make a difference. Their point was that STEM is enough, and they wanted me to stand in front of all these geniuses and convince them that the arts actually make all of those other things (science, technology, engineering and math) more robust. So, that's what I did!
Watch: Adagio op 115 - Jennifer Stumm plays Brahms
Music is this thing that binds people, topics, and subjects together and makes them richer. Hopefully, in my own little viola way, that's what I have managed to do.
Jennifer Stumm's An Imperfect Instrument will tour nationwide from 29th March – 6th April with performances in Bray, Dublin, Roscommon, Clifden, Listowel, and Waterford - find out more here.
