Janet Sung on her Experience Studying With Josef Gingold

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Josef Gingold's passing, the Meadowmount School of Music has been renovating a dedicated library

The Violin Channel recently sat down with violinist Janet Sung, Artistic Director of the Meadowmount School of Music, where she met the legendary violin teacher, Josef Gingold, with whom she studied for 10 years.

Student concerts from the Meadowmount School of Music will be available to watch on The Violin Channel on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM starting on July 2nd.

Janet Sung with Mr. Gingold in his studio

Tell us about your experience as a student of Josef Gingold. What are some of the best memories you have from those 10 years?

I first met Mr. Gingold at the Meadowmount School of Music when I was about 10 years old. He coached my quartet, performing Beethoven, Op. 18, No. 4. The details of that specific performance have faded over the years, but the feeling of that experience with him is still quite vivid. I auditioned for him the next year to be his private student- we did not know if he would consider me too young, but luckily, he saw or heard something and took me on. That started the journey of many years of studying with him, and my parents driving 16 hours round-trip from Pittsburgh, PA, to Bloomington, IN, every other week.

Some of the memories most deeply embedded in me are his vast knowledge of music, his stories about countless musicians (he was an amazing raconteur), his jokes (often a good pun), his distinctive and recognizable voice singing in lessons, and most of all, his artistry and playing. Every lesson with him was filled with him playing- always by memory, whether it was a concerto solo, lines from the orchestral accompaniment, or sometimes even playing at the piano. The greatest gift was being able to hear his violin sound every time I met with him. The warmth, honesty, and beauty of his tone are forever in my ear and still inspire me today.

What was his philosophy as a teacher?

During a lesson when I was 12 years old, I remember Mr. Gingold taking a book from his shelf and quoting from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “… let your own discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action...” It was an early and powerful insight into thinking about music and its relevance beyond the printed page. He understood it took great discipline to develop one’s craft, but he also believed that our human side was equally important. Each person’s musicianship, education, and artistry are impacted by how they develop intellectually and as human beings. Everything in his playing was completely sincere and every note was given incredible love and care. We can only say something meaningful with our music if we are honest, no gimmicks.

Janet Sung and her string quartet with Mr. Gingold during her first summer at Meadowmount

Are there specific teachings you particularly want to pass on to the next generation from Mr. Gingold?

The teachings I received from Mr. Gingold that I try to impart come from his deep love of humanity and of music. To treat each other and the music with great respect, kindness, and generosity. (Violinistically, he often said that intonation is the basis of a beautiful tone!)

He was selfless and a deeply kind and caring person- it was not his personality to teach by employing scare tactics. His immense joy and care for music made you want to do well and to know, love, and discover more about the music and violin playing that ultimately gave you the means to express and share something.

To celebrate the anniversary of his passing, the Meadowmount School of Music is restoring the Josef Gingold Library. Can you tell us about this project?

This summer, we are restoring and re-opening the Josef Gingold Library in Main House as a dedicated teaching studio for chamber music and as an important learning and artistic space on the Meadowmount campus. Mr. Gingold profoundly influenced countless musicians who spent summers at Meadowmount, where he was a cherished teacher, mentor, chamber coach, and friend. This year is the 30th anniversary of Mr. Gingold’s death on January 11, 1995, and it is a wonderful way to honor his legacy and his deep love of chamber music.

Layers of administrative presence were cleared away, and the walls and ceiling were repaired to allow for cleaning, painting, and furnishing this studio in a manner fitting its namesake. A newly rebuilt grand piano was also added to the space, making the Josef Gingold Library once again an artist studio that will be busy with chamber music coachings and rehearsals throughout each day.

This summer season at Meadowmount, from June 27 to August 7, we are thrilled to present an internationally acclaimed roster of artists, many of whom are Meadowmount alums, including the Kronos Quartet, violists Kim Kashkashian and Molly Carr, violinists Ani Kavafian and Sheryl Staples, and cellists Colin Carr and Tommy Mesa. Like many of the talented students we will also hear perform this summer, these are artists who embody the spirit of Mr. Gingold’s legacy.