An Interview with Ani Kavafian
Violinist Ani Kavafian enjoys a prolific career as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. She has performed with virtually all of America’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and many others. She is a renowned chamber musician and has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 1979. Her numerous solo recital engagements include performances at New York’s Carnegie and Alice Tully halls, as well as in major venues across the country. She is Professor of Violin at Yale University.
The Manchester Music Festival is thrilled to welcome Professor Kavafian to the stage during Week One of our Summer 2020 chamber music festival. In addition to performing in the season premiere chamber concert, she will also be guiding MMF’s new generation of Young Artists through the rehearsal process for their own debut concert.
Born in Istanbul to Armenian parents, Kavafian’s first instrument was, in fact, not the violin.
“I actually started (in music) at three years old, studying the piano with my aunt, who was one of the foremost piano teachers in Istanbul,” she recalls. “When we came to America in 1956, my school needed string players for the orchestra, and I picked the violin.”
When asked about her primary inspirations, Kavafian immediately lists her parents, sister, and first violin teacher, Ara Zerounian.
“My mom was a professional violinist and my dad a professional violist … they were really good musicians. (When) I was almost nine years old, the school gave me a $15 scholarship that went toward five lessons with Ara Zerounian, an absolutely wonderfully inspiring teacher in Detroit.”
The need to focus, however, soon took priority.
“(Each day after) school, I practiced both piano and violin, then did homework until very late,” she explains. “Something had to give, and it was the piano, as I enjoyed being in my school orchestra.”
“But I guess I had become pretty accomplished on both, since possibly my crowning achievement was winning the concerto competition at the National Music Camp at Interlochen on both instruments!”
Her hard work and affinity for the violin paid off, eventually leading her to The Juilliard School, the White House, Carnegie Hall, and countless other major concert stages throughout the country. Today, in addition to teaching at Yale, she maintains a busy performance schedule. She has performed with virtually every major orchestra in the United States, premiered a number of commissions, and accrued an extensive discography. She cites chamber music as her favorite performance medium and appears regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
With so much time on the road, Kavafian occupies her long travel days with both little diversions and literary interests. In addition to word games and puzzles, she enjoys “actually reading The New York Times,” as well as delving into longer reads, particularly novels – citing D.M. Thomas, Ursula Hegi, Chris Bohjalian, and Aline Ohanesian among her recent favorites. When not on the road, she also enjoys cooking and classic movies.
“My husband and I have been watching Turner Classic Movies lately. We enjoy so many of the old movies! Of course, ‘On the Waterfront’ stands out.”
But she certainly doesn’t shy away from the heavier dramas.
“I loved ‘Schindler’s List’ and recently rewatched ‘The English Patient.’”
A renowned teacher as well as performer, Kavafian is in fierce demand at young artist programs worldwide.
“I go to so many festivals!” she exclaims. “Sarasota (Music Festival), Norfolk (Chamber Music Festival), Chamber Music Northwest, Lucca (Summer Festival) in Italy, Meadowmount (School of Music), and so many others!”
Yet, her trademark as a teacher, she muses, is perhaps the absence of any trademark at all.
“I strive to teach my students to be individuals. I try to teach them to use their best musical instincts … to be thoughtful musicians first, and violinists second.”
Her advice to the new generation of budding professionals?
“Open every door that could lead you forward!”
In addition to her MMF debut in this summer’s season opener, Kavafian will also present a recital and a masterclass, both events offering free admission. For her, a masterclass encourages the public to get a taste of the process behind the mastery.
“Masterclass teaching is more a performance for the audience. It means involving that audience as you work with each performer,” she emphasizes. “In a masterclass setting, it’s very important to make sure the audience senses and hears how the players can change something for the better and evolve almost on the spot.”
Kavafian plays the 1736 Muir MacKenzie Stradivarius, which she herself purchased.
“I sold the violin I owned, a bow I owned, financed a portion of (the remainder) at 18 percent interest, and played private concerts and cooked dinners for donors.”
“Somehow, it’s paid off!”
Ani Kavafian is on the faculty of the MMF Young Artists program for Summer 2020. For more information about the program, including how to apply, visit www.mmfvt.org/young-artists.