Concert violinist, educator, artistic director and author Gwendolyn Masin has performed extensively on three continents to critical acclaim, as well as touring as a soloist with various orchestras, collaborating with the Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Hungarian National Philharmonic.
From 2nd - 7th August Gwendolyn, along with Finghin Collins, artistically directs the International Master Course at the National Concert Hall. This intensive summer school offers Irish and international musicians the opportunity to partake in a series of masterclasses and seminars by world-renowned musicians.
We asked Gwendolyn for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
The birth of my son in late 2019 had an impact on my life in many ways. One of them being how I hold space for cultural life beyond my own work. Given the circumstances of a two-and-a-half-year-old not going to the cinema with me just yet, nor letting me near a device to stream movies, I think I would "watch" Lift to the Scaffold (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud) by Louis Malle. Its score is legendary and is composed by Miles Davis. In the studio, Miles and his quintet (including drummer Kenny Clarke) played along to the film, which goes some way to explaining why certain pieces end as abruptly as they do. There's not a single jazz album, indeed, no opening bars of a jazz piece, that are as atmospheric to me as Florence sur les Champs-Élysées and that can immediately envelope me in a sense of New Wave Cool.
MUSIC
I’ve been wanting to play Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet for years and am thrilled to be able to perform it with such an illustrious group of musicians as part of the fourth National Concert Hall’s International Music Course this August. Finghin Collins, my co-artistic director, will perform it alongside Mihaela Martin, Lars Anders Tomter, Frans Helmerson, and me.
Dmitri Shostakovich was a key figure in classical music in the Soviet-era. Although oftentimes praised by his government, he was actually very critical of it, to the point of including covert musical symbols of dissent in his work. The narrative arch of his piano quintet includes aggressive, violent passages; ironic march-like themes as well as one of the most hauntingly beautiful, melancholic slow movements full of longing, and a nearly naïve sense of hope.
BOOK
Reading is my oasis of calm, a place I turn to when I find myself alone, be it travelling to a concert or enjoying the calm of the night when my family slumbers. I recently read Alain de Botton’s The Course of Love which was very perceptive and engaging, and Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem. I enjoy writing myself and find it compelling how Didion uses the technique of centering herself in the essays in this collection, which at the time of publication in the late 60’s was unusual.
TV
I recently inhaled Derry Girls while my men slept, consuming a secret stash of Cadbury’s chocolate while I was at it. I love the series – it’s like reliving the 90’s all over again. Living away from home so much of my time, I take any little piece of Ireland I can get.
GIG
Maurizio Pollini performed a solo recital in Zurich recently which I attended. It was deeply inspiring to experience him performing live – this grand figure of piano-playing, deep in his 80’s, performing a marathon programme that only the fewest dare tackle.
ART
One of the first artists I collaborated with is a childhood friend, Colm Mac Athlaoich. He created the image of Michaela for the namesake book I wrote about a little girl learning to play the violin. I’ve collected some of his early works which are dotted around our apartment. He’s carving a beautiful path for himself in art and I try to catch up with his exhibitions in Dublin any time I’m home.
TECH
Discovering yoga for myself changed my life. I’ve been practicing nearly daily for the past five years and have reaped the benefits, particularly on stage where I feel physically unrestricted.
The one thing I’m not very disciplined about is Shavasana – I tend to fall asleep rather than focus on breath and relaxation. To this end, I use an app that emits a gong-like sound when time’s up – and is somewhat more compassionate a sound than an alarm-clock might be.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
They aren’t the next big thing strictly speaking, but I love Snarky Puppy. They recently dropped a new album and Trinity is just it – few know how to build and power up a sense of musical joy like they do.
The International Master Course is at the National Concert Hall, Dublin from From 2nd - 7th August 2022 - find out more (and buy Daily Observer tickets) here.
