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Meet Atar Arad Distinguished Artist for Caramoor Rising Stars |
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Home > What's New > Caramoor Blog > Meet Atar Arad Distinguished Artist for Caramoor Rising Stars
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October 29, 2010
“Violist Atar Arad is a star in the musical world, whose wisdom and sense of humor have added to lives of many musicians. In this interview he discusses his love for the viola, his transition into the world of composition, and he shares his advice for the rising stars. Enjoy!” –Alison Shearer
 | | Atar Arad, viola |
You began your musical training on the violin, but after several years of rigorous training you switched to the viola. Can you tell me about this transition? What about the viola did you find so compelling?
I fell in love with the viola the first time I touched one, reading Beethoven Op. 18/5 with friends for fun. I knew then that she was made for me, and I was made for her... For life. My violin teacher was furious, and my father lost any hope that his son would be the next Heifetz. It was her voice, warm and generous, that made it for me as well as her placement in the middle of a string quartet.
You have recorded, performed and taught all over the world. What are some of the highlights and memorable moments of your career?
Every concert that I gave as a member of the Cleveland String Quartet was a highlight in and of itself; I had many concerts with the quartet. Performing my own string quartet also seemed to be an unbelievable pleasure. Very recently I participated in the premier of my piece “Listen,” three poems by W.S. Merwin, for tenor (Mark Padmore, no less), clarinet, viola, cello, and double bass; we gave six concerts in England. How many composers are that fortunate?
You describe yourself as a “late-bloomer” composer and have written a number of acclaimed pieces in the past twenty years. How did your interest in composition blossom? Has composing changed the way in which you think about the viola?
I have no doubt that my first composition, a solo sonata for viola, was a result of my departure from the quartet and the creative void that it left. It came quickly and easily, as though dictated from somewhere deep in my soul. The following pieces, such as my quartet and concerto, took much longer to write and involved a lot of serious learning on my part. But nothing gives me more pleasure than focusing on my compositional skills and writing new pieces. This is the only way in which I know how to have a real conversation with myself and thus find out who I really am, regardless of how good, bad, new or old the compositions are. Of course the viola is featured in most of my compositions; I have an ever growing love for her and all that she can do.
Can you tell us how the week is going? Advice for the rising stars?
It is fantastic week so far – it is an opportunity for me to share my experience with the “rising stars” and, in return, take from them a refreshing feeling of youthfulness. My advice? Practice, practice, practice, practice...
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