Happy Wunderkind

She was a wonder child – she decided herself that she wanted to play the violin and ever since she began, she has been easily winning in various competitions for young musicians. A breakthrough moment came when she met the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan, who invited the then 13-year-old violinist to perform solo with the Berlin Philharmonic. Two years later, Mutter recorded her first album of Mozart’s Violin Concertos. Herbert von Karajan discovered and strengthened her genius but also helped manage her musical career wisely. “Today, I can say it was the most beautiful moment in my life,” said Mutter in various interviews. Last year, the artist celebrated the 40th anniversary of her fairytale beginnings – her concerto debut under the baton of Karajan which took place on 28 May 1977 during Salzburg Whitsun Concerts.

Top Class
    
If it is even possible to use the term celebrity in the world of classical music, the versatility and unique position of the violinist make her a real star. Mutter’s concertos which are sold out on the spot are enjoyed in absolute silence necessarily followed by a thunderous applause and standing ovation. The artists performs both classical and contemporary works – the list of her achievements now includes 25 world premieres. However, her interpretations of contemporary music works are among her most highly esteemed works. Some of the most eminent composers – Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutosławski, sir André Previn, Wolfgang Rihm, Norbert Moret, John Williams – dedicated their works to her. Of particular value for her is the artistic relationship with Krzysztof Penderecki, who wrote several pieces for her. At this year’s concerto in the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice, as part of the Recitals of the Masters series, Mutter has absolutely delighted the audiences. She has this gift of being able to provoke such focus, one that can turn any concert hall into a true art temple and the process of listening into a mystery-like experience. After she took her very first step when she came up on the stage in a backless green gown, the audience held their breath, as they got to commune with mastery, of which they thought it never happens.

The Power of Youth
    
The violinist has been involved in numerous promotional campaigns and supports young virtuosi – in Autumn 1997, she established the Anne-Sophie Mutter Circle of Friends Foundation, and in 2008 – the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation. These two charitable institutions support young and talented scholarship holders. And it brings great joy to both parties, as fresh energy and vigor, which the mature artists often lack, are assets from which Anne-Sophie Mutter draws strength. Working with young and talented musicians, the education of whom Mutter ensured early on, allows her to discover new interpretation methods, prevents the violinist from settling in one place. It can be heard on one of her latest albums recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. The artist’s main partner here is Daniił Trifonow, a Russian pianist who was hailed a revelation at the Chopin Competition in 2010, winning third prize.

How Does a Virtuoso Live?
    
Although the kingdom of the world’s best concert halls is not a tempting target for paparazzi, and true music aficionados are not really interested in what Krzysztof Penderecki had for breakfast, Mutter’s private life has been attracting the curiosity of those interested. What might be of interest is for instance the fact that she owns the Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivarius violin from 1710. What does her everyday life look like? Was the childhood of
a wunderkind full of joy? “I don’t feel like I’ve lost my childhood,” she ensures and admits she is a happy woman, who enjoys spending time with her kids, cooking pasta, strolling through the botanical garden, and reading Russian classics. In 1989, Mutter married Detlef Wunderlich who died six years later and with whom she has two kids. In 2002, she married a conductor André Previn, whom she divorced after four years, but with whom she has been working regularly. She even admits she has never worked with anyone so multi-talented.

2018 Tour

Mutter’s 2018 concert tour is running through Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. In March, Carnegie Hall hosted the world premiere of André Previn’s composition the Fifth Season for the violin and piano, and in November – a concerto for two violins of a South Korean composer Unsuk Chin. The artist will pay particular attention to the violin works by Krzysztof Penderecki – to commemorate not only the 85th anniversary of the composer’s birth but also their friendship of many years. Mutter will perform compositions dedicated to her: Violin Concerto No. 2 “Metamorphosen” (it premiered in 1995), Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano (2000), Duo  concertante per violino e contrabbasso (which premiered in 2011), and La Follia per violino solo (2013). A 2-CD album with all works written by Penderecki for Mutter (also featuring the recorded for the first time Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano) will be released in late summer of 2018.