When trying to write a short post about our guest artist baroque violinist Julia Wedman, we realized that it’s hard not to gush about this talented Saskatoon sweetheart. Julia’s bio is incredible. She has been a member of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra since 2005, she is a part of Eybler Quartet, and Julia a member of the innovative baroque ensemble I FURIOSI. She has travelled all over the world with the ensembles and as a solo artist. She is also a talented educator and coach having done residencies across North America. To top everything off, in 2011 Julia released her debut solo recording of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas (Sonoluminus) to rave reviews.
Amazing resume aside, we know that Julia is a wonderful person to work and chat with. Instead of parroting more of her bio to you (which you can read here), we asked her to answer a few questions.
SSO: What was your “aha” moment that made you realize you love baroque?
J: My first term at Indiana University, I was placed in one of the big symphony orchestras, with a conductor that was mediocre and music that I wasn’t interested in. One day at rehearsal the conductor accidentally threw his baton, and it hit me just under my eye. Two millimetres higher and it would have taken out my eye. I went home and complained bitterly to my best friend. He said “Come to the baroque orchestra concert tomorrow – you will love it!” So I went, and he was right! The director was the baroque violin guru, Stanley Ritchie, who was so graceful and elegant as he played, it was like he was dancing on stage. The whole orchestra was having such a great time, smiling and dancing together, playing so beautifully and joyfully that I was immediately smitten. I signed up for baroque orchestra and lessons with Stanley the next day.
SSO: Favourite piece of music to play?
J: Bach C major Solo Violin Sonata. Well – that is my favourite piece to practice. I never get bored – which is good, because it is so difficult that I need to practice it a LOT! Also anything by Bach, Biber, Rameau or Mozart.
SSO: What is the best piece of advice you received early in your career that still holds true today?
J: Listen
SSO: Guilty pleasure?
J: Prince. 80s rock. I think I memorized every song played on CKOM in high school, and I still know them. Sometimes we do covers of the best ones for encores with my group I Furiosi. Last week we did Eye of the Tiger.
SSO: Favourite SSO memory?
J: One of the first concerts I ever played with the SSO…Beethoven’s 9th Symphony! I was so thrilled to be part of such an incredible musical experience!
This was also my most embarrassing moment. At the beginning of the Scherzo, Beethoven sets up a pattern of play-rest-play-rest but the third time he writes rest-play. And I played. Alone. When everyone else was resting. A study was done a few years ago on violinists who made mistakes in concerts, and they found that when they played accidental “solos” their heart rates would shoot up so high, it was like they were in a car accident. I know that feeling.
SSO: How does it feel to be back in Saskatoon to perform?
J: It is so heart-warming to be here playing with dear friends, and having the honour of sitting beside a former (wonderful, inspirational) teacher. It is a real treat to be here playing with this wonderful orchestra. I feel so grateful to have had the support of such a fantastic musical community as a young person growing up here.
SSO: Any other fun facts you would like people to know?
J: One of the best things we get to do in Tafelmusik is a residency with Opera Atelier at Versailles every 18 months or so. It is a magical week in Paris. I take the train into the city to see incredible art at the Louvre or Musee D’Orsay in the daytime, rehearse and perform Lully in the opera house at Versailles in the evenings, and explore the palace and gardens in my “downtime”. Being a musician isn’t always very glamourous. I love it, but it is a lot of sacrifice and a lot of hard work. Every once in a while I find myself in an experience so incredible that I have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming, and being at Versailles is always one of those times. Last year November we were there just days after the terrorist attacks, and we were even more grateful than ever to be there supporting the French people. I think everyone should come with me to Paris some time. If you love music, art, history, and food, you will love it!
We will be there again in May!
Julia joins the SSO at 7:30pm, this Friday (October 28th) at Knox United Church.
Take a listen to the samples below and let Julia serenade you while you buy your tickets!