Violinist Ingolf Turban on his Pedagogical Philosophies

Audiences can watch students of the violinist on October 21 at 1 PM (ET) on The Violin Channel

The Violin Channel recently announced a new streaming series with the Musikakademie in Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s leading music education programs for emerging artists. On select Mondays at 1 PM (ET), audiences can watch an hour-long concert featuring the Academy's students from leading faculty.

The next concert will feature students of Latica Honda Rosenberg and Ingolf Turban on October 21.

Ahead of this concert, we caught up with Ingolf Turban to gain some insight into his pedagogical experience.

How long have you been associated with the academy?

I have been happily associated with the academy since March 2018. The last session was already my 14th time.

To you, what is unique about the academy?

The academy delivers a perfect balance between daily individual lessons and classes covering nearly all aspects and subjects needed to know by first-rate talents. Especially those who want to establish a brilliant and long-lasting career.

What goals should a student set for sessions that are relatively short in time?

Since we deliver five individual 60-minute sessions, there is, in comparison to other mastercourses, lots of time to develop ideas — even if working on a piece that has been recently added to the participant's repertoire. In other words, I especially love to work on "fresh pieces," and after all, everybody can be satisfied by fresh insights and probably by a wonderful premiere performance in concert!

More generally, what are your pedagogical philosophies?

My prime sentence: don't push a talent!

Listen individually with no comparison to each other, since everybody has something (different) to say.

Be open and receive respectfully, with patience, empathy, and love.

What advice do you give to your students before they perform?

Don't overtry right before performances, calm down, and if any practice is still needed, please do it slowly and in pianissimo...

How does teaching influence your performing career? And vice versa?

As Arnold Schönberg once said: "thanks to students, the own wisdom has grown.'

My reflections about many open questions occur while working with students. It means a lot to my own developement as a performing artist. Let me say, I myself am my oldest student, and sometimes a rather difficult one...

What are you hoping to pass down to the next generation of artists? 

Play with love and true passion according to your personality. Don't copy anybody. Be open-minded. Have the greatest respect for the given texture and feel responsible for influencing our world with love and peace!

Ingolf Turban with his students at the Liechtenstein Academy of Music