VC VOX POP | “What’s the Strangest Question You’ve Been Asked by a Fan?” [Q&A]

The Violin Channel recently chatted with 20 of the world’s leading string players to find out …

Violinist James Ehnes:

“I’ve been asked to sign things that are WAY out of my comfort zone (!)"

Violinist Sarah Chang:

“Will you marry me. Ha!"

Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras:

“When you play, is it only about the story and emotions, or also about technique?”

Violinist VC Artist Noah Bendix-Balgley:

“I’ve been asked to sign some strange things in autograph lines...My jaw dropped when someone asked me to sign ON their violin! I declined (though my colleague went through with it!)."

Emerson Quartet Violinist, Philip Setzer:

“A man came up to me after a concert once and said, 'I liked your playing, Mr. Drucker'. I said 'Thanks, but I'm Mr. Setzer'. He said 'No!' and reached into his pocket to show me his program and prove to me that I was wrong. Thankfully, the program and I were both correct in this case."

Cellist Gary Hoffman:

“The strangest I know was asked of one of my brothers: 'Excuse me, does one spell it Schubert or Schumann?' Difficult to answer that one!"

Violinist VC Artist Josef Spacek:

“It wasn't a question from a fan, but during a live radio interview. I was asked, whether I play both the violin and the piano at the same time during the Janacek Sonata :)"

Violinist VC Artist Augustin Hadelich:

“Where did you get that magnificent head of hair?”

Violinist Nemanja Radulovic:

“I will keep that one for myself 😀 ''

Verona Quartet Violinist, VC Artist Jonathan Ong:

“It’s not strange per se, but an elderly lady once asked us if we would read the Mozart Quintet with her, as it was her birthday wish. We are setting up a reading session now!''

Violinist Nicola Benedetti:

“I have no idea, nor memory. Most things that are really, really strange are actually too abstract to remember!''

Violist VC Artist Matthew Lipman:

“Are you a closeted violinist?”

Dover Quartet Violinist, VC Artist Joel Link:

“I was once asked if I played American football ... it was very out of the blue and wasn’t connected to any sports conversation!"

Violinist Viviane Hagner:

“When touring with my sister, pianist Nicole, who works full-time as a medical doctor, she often makes remarks about her 'next shift in her real job'. When they ask me about my real job, I can‘t quite reply…''

Violinist Lara St John:

“Were you a linebacker in a previous life?” (I’m not kidding)

Violinist Glenn Dicterow:

“I would have to say someone requesting me to play a song (Devo) called 'Whip It' for an encore. I had never heard of this song and know that even if I had I would have crashed and burned trying to play it."

Violinist VC Artist Tessa Lark:

“If I like bees..."

Violinist VC Artist Angelo Xiang Yu:

“How many girlfriends do you have?"

Aizuri Quartet Violinist, Maho Sahegusa:

“When the quartet performs: 'Do you all live in the same house?'"

Aizuri Quartet Violist, Ayane Kozasa:

“When asked about the quartet: 'Who’s the leader in your quartet?'"