About
Biography
David Garrett
“You have to be a world-class violinist in order to record a good crossover CD.” (David Garrett)
“Only those artists can afford to do crossover who have already made a name for themselves in the classical music scene.” David Garrett sets high quality standards. And he knows what he is talking about. In Fall 2007 the recording artist made his appearance in Germany with the release of his crossover album Virtuoso and he has been redefining standards in the classic and crossover scene step by step ever since. The native of Aachen, son of a German jurist and an American prima ballerina, can allow himself to sound out the limits. After all, at age 30, he already looks back on a matchless career.
He gets his first violin at age four and makes his first appearance with the Hamburg Philharmonics at the early age of ten. At age thirteen he is the youngest artist to be awarded an exclusive contract with the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. In 1999, at the height of his career, the shooting star redirects his energy, deciding to leave his predetermined path as a classical violinist and move to New York – not to take a time-out but rather to place his musical proficiency on a theoretical foundation and perfect his technique. He enrolls at the prestigious Julliard School, studying musicology and composition.
Instruction with Itzhak Perlmann lends his performance completely new facets. David Garrett’s particular enthusiasm for studying composition earns him a distinction in 2003 when he wins the renowned Composition Competition of Julliard School with a fugue composed in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. In doing so, he lays the foundation for what have become legendary arrangements. His highly esteemed American composition teacher Eric Ewazen has said of him “As a violinist, his spectacular, heartfelt and expressive playing already dazzled – even when he was a student – those of us who had the great pleasure of teaching him, and we recognized his extraordinary gifts and his amazing talent.”
Since completing his studies, the visionary violinist has committed himself to a clearly defined goal – introducing young people to the classics and kindling enthusiasm for reputedly serious music. Combining classical elements with those of pop and rock as well as rhythm and blues is a means to this end. “Regarding the crossover pieces I arrange, I strive to attain a level of performance at least equal to that expected of classical works. When another violinist looks at one of my scores he must say “The violin part is damned good. It is so difficult I’d have to practice it for hours before being able to play it.” Concerning his ambitions, David Garrett puts it succinctly. “You have to be a world-class violinist in order to record a good crossover CD. This poses an even greater challenge than classical music does because you want to present things to your listeners in a completely new light while putting on a superb violinist’s performance. The great virtuosos from Paganini to Heifetz did just that. Anything else would be merely mindless commercialism.”
Whereas many conservative contemporaries wonder whether uncompromising excellence and popularity, art and commerce can or may even be reconciled, David Garrett long ago proved that it is possible, enthralling listeners of all ages. The same new, incredibly electrifying spirit pervades lofty philharmonic halls holding sold-out classical concerts and open-air arenas staging crossover programs. The people sense that they are being taken seriously, that a person is performing who approaches the task with utmost discipline while creating an awareness for various musical genres and styles. Garrett’s desire to diminish the awe of classical music felt by young audiences in particular, to spark a whirlwind in the music scene while striving to sweep as many people off their feet as he possibly can is fulfilled to an overwhelming degree.
David Garrett is not only a technically brilliant recording artist who has received the praise and support of such eminent violin virtuosos as Isaac Stern, Yehudi Menuhin and in particular Ida Haendel. His greatness is also reflected in his mental countenance. As one of the few classically versed artists he has an undistorted perspective on tradition and modernity. Thinking in terms of fixed categories is foreign to him. “In my eye, the Paganinis, Liszts and Chopins of the 19th century were the world’s first rock stars,” he says. Garrett knows the secrets of great music and understands that the more substance a work has, the more possibilities an artist has to make it his own and place it in new contexts. “Bach arranged Vivaldi and Mozart arranged Turkish marches. Beethoven wanted to enchant the masses too, employing musical means to this end. Great composers have always incorporated elements which were popular in their day and there is nothing reprehensible about that. On the contrary.”
Thus his musical expertise inspired him to interlace Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal with Mozart’s Turkish March – and he did so before Michael Jackson’s death, before the world paid tribute to this exceptional talent. David Garrett sets trends of his own because he is also ahead of his time. And yet he knows that talent and a command of one’s instrument do not suffice alone if one is to intellectually and spiritually penetrate a work and gain a grasp of it. A background knowledge of music theory enables the well-traveled artist to analyze and scrutinize scores. “Many great works are unbelievably rich in diverse possibilities. A certain passage in Mozart’s Turkish March and one in Smooth Criminal have almost the same harmonic progression. This goes to show that apart from instrumentalization, music has hardly changed at all over the past 250 years. We continue to work with the same material.”
Only this mixture of perfectionism and openness, thoroughgoingness and foresight explain the overwhelming success which David Garrett has had since the release of Virtuoso. With this recording the artist presented the public with his vision of how various musical styles can be creatively fused on a high artistic level without compromising musical standards. The succession of his own compositions interspersed with arrangements of classical pieces ranging from the virtuoso “Paganini Rhapsody,” based on Caprice No. 24 by Niccolò Paganini, to the emotionally intense rock classic “Nothing Else Matters” by “Metallica” stunned the music world. Advocates and critics sparked off a dialogue about musical orientations which has rekindled and refocused interest in how music communicates itself.
The artist was rewarded with an ECHO Classic 2008 in the category “Classic without Borders.” The “Encore” followed fast on this first success in October 2008, even surpassing the former release as a follow-up album. In the USA, “David Garrett” stayed number one in the classical and classical crossover charts for months.
With the album “Classic Romance”, released in November 2009, the violin virtuoso returned to classic turf. He created a special, very personal CD centering around Mendelssohn’s violin concerto, accompanied by seven small works from the Classic and Romantic periods. “Classic Romance” had an enormous resonance, winning Garrett the ECHO Classic 2010 in the category “Bestseller of the Year”. “Classical music is where my heart lies and I am elated that I succeed in bringing my message across to the audience.”
In June 2010 all previous musical activities of the star violinist culminated in a further exciting challenge: Rock Symphonies. At the legendary concert at Park Wuhlheide in Berlin, David Garrett delivered an unprecedentedly individual “musical address” to his multi-generational audience. Classics from all epochs – from the Baroque Age to modern times, from Bach to Nirvana – are presented in a newly arranged symphonic idiom. Once again his courage to embrace new things was rewarded.
In 2011 he received no less than two ECHO awards for his “Rock Symphonies”. The DVD “David Garrett: Rock Symphonies – Open Air Live” was distinguished in the category “Best Domestic DVD Production” and as “Best Artist” in the category “Rock/Pop Domestic”. “To date,” Garrett says, “‘Rock Symphonies’ is my most extraordinary and ambitious project. For this reason I look forward to getting together with the guys in my band, the orchestra and the audience on the 2011 Tour. For me, these people are all part of one large musical family.”
David Garrett is Honorary Judge in the category violin at the “International Music Competition Cologne”, which takes place from 22nd September until 2nd October 2011 and is hosted by the Conservatory of Music Cologne.
© Dr. Burkhard und Sibylle Schäfer
David is playing the “A. Busch” Stradivarius (1716)
Dear David
I wish you a happy halloween! Enjoy it!
A very nice time and lovely wishes from Angelina.
DAVID…
Es domingo, en México no es fácil salir a la calle a divertirse, tengo dos hijas adolescentes que me odian por tenerlas enceradas, ayer compramos “Live on a sumer night” cd. Hemos pasado un día esplendido, con emisiones de alegría y ternura, imaginar estar en The wuhlheide Berlin es todo un viaje, tienes un gran talento y virtuosismo, gracias por regalarlo al mundo.
David, no dejes de hacer esto, tu trabajo hace que nuestro mundo sea mejor.
Have recently purchased your ‘Rock Symphonies CD’, one for myself and one for a friend who was recovering from an illness. I have not stopped listening to it and the moving tunes are soul lifting. Thank you for your courage to take the public to another level joining rock and classical music. Hope to attend your concert in Australia one day in the future.
Hi David,
ich wusste zwar schon länger, das es da diesen jungen, talentierten – und nebenbei sehr attraktiven Geiger geben soll, aber so RICHTIG wahrgenommen habe ich dich erst bei einem Radio-Interview mit Bärbel Schäfer auf HR3. Das hat mich so beeindruckt, das ich mir das ganze Interview auch nochmal auf der HR3-Homepage angeschaut habe. Musik hin oder her, aber mich hat der MENSCH total beeindruckt.
So natürlich, so…. nett! (Sorry, ich weiß, das “nett” die kleine Schwester von Arschloch ist, aber mir fehlt ein passenderes Wort!)
Bitte, bitte bleib dabei! Der liebe Junge von Nebenan. Ohne Starallüren, obwohl Du alles Recht der Erde dazu hättest, welche an den Tag zu legen!
Danke, das Du uns allen die klassische Musik wieder näher bringst – und das man dank Dir auch offen sagen darf, das man Klassik mag! Das hat einen ja früher gleich zum alternden Spießer gemacht…
Eines Tages schaffe ich es vielleicht auch mal zu einem Konzert von Dir – aber “mer kommt zu nix!” ;-)
Liebe Grüße aus Hessen
Anita
Dear David
Für diese Woche sende ich Dir ein paar heitere Worte.
Nimm Dir Zeit zum
TRÄUMEN -
es ist der Weg zu den Sternen.
Have a very nice week and lovely wishes from Angelina.
Hallo David und liebes David-Team,
viele Frauen sind doch alte Astrologie-Eumel – bitte, bitte, bitte veröffentlicht doch mal David´s exakte Geburtsstunde, damit wir Astro-Verrückten seinen Aszendenten errechnen können. Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, daß ich mit dieser Bitte nicht alleine dastehe, das würde sehr viele Fans interressieren. Wir nehmen David damit ja nix weg, wir sehen auch nicht, was er am nächsten Tag macht, mit wem er sich trifft etc., das ist auch seine Privatsache, wenn er nicht gerade tourt. Damit sieht man seine Charakteranlagen und zukünftige Möglichkeiten, und das ist wäre für mich – die Laien-Astrologin – eine tolle Übung.
Danke! Auch wenn ich keine Antwort erhalten sollte danke ich David für seine wundervolle beseelte Musik!!!!
Hello David,
I am writing this email for my 7 year old grandson, Jeremiah, who adores you. He wanted to watch ” Dancing with the Stars” with me one night and when he saw you playing the violin he stated that he wanted to play like you. I ordered some of your CD’s and we listen to them over and over and over. Jeremiah can recognize and name many of your songs. Jeremiah has recently started music lessons and his violin teacher is thrilled with how quickly he is progressing. We live in Knoxville, Tennessee and we both wish you could present a concert closer to Knoxville I have been to Germany on 3 different occasions. Maybe someday I could bring Jeremiah to one of your concerts in Germany.
This is a message from Jeremiah: “I like your music David Garrett. I play the violin. I like Smooth Criminal, He’s a Pirate. Thunderstruck and Master of Puppets and The Fifth. I like you. Signed by Jeremiah and my Nana.”
Dear David,
Ein kleines Gedicht für dieses Weekend, sende ich Dir.
Jeden Tag soll die Sonne für Dich
scheinen und gute Laune mitbringen.
Vergiss nicht: Das Leben hält
so viel Schönes und Überraschendes
für Dich bereit.
Freue Dich jeden Tag aufs Neue darauf!
Have a very nice and lucky weekend and lovely wishes from Angelina.
dear David, I am very happy to be here to write to you. your music make life more colorful. world is more beatiful becuse of you. you are the best!!
Really hope you come to Guangzhou China someday, People here alway love you!!!!
Happiness and good luck forever with you!!!
Dear David
Für dieses Weekend sende ich Dir ein Gedicht.
Die besten und schönsten Dinge der Welt
können wir nicht sehen,
ja nicht einmal berühren.
Wir müssen sie
mit dem Herzen fühlen.
Have a very nice weekend and lovely greetings from Angelina.
Lieber David,
ich habe zum Geburtstag Karten für dein Konzert in Schloss Salem geschenkt bekommen. Das war das mit Abstand beste Geschen, das ich jemals bekommen habe. Ich möchte dir von ganzem Herzen für den unglaublichen Abend danken. Am nächsten Tag habe ich schon angefangen, im Internet nach neuen Konzerten von dir in meiner Nähe zu suchen… Ich denke, ich spreche für viele Menschen, wenn ich dir sage, dass deine Musik direkt von deiner Geige in die Seelen der Menschen springt. Mich jedenfalls berührt jeder einzelne Ton. Und das, obwohl ich deine Lieder teilweise bis aufs letze Schlagzeug auswendig kenne. Mich fasziniert deine Leidenschaft für Musik. Als ich dich spielen gesehen habe, hatte ich den Eindruck, du vergisst alles andere um dich herum.
Bleib wie du bist!
Ich wünsche dir eine schöne Woche.
Marlene
Dear David
Für dieses Weekend sende ich Dir ein kleines Gedicht:
Ein kleines Lied – wie gehts doch an,
Dass man so lieb es haben kann?
Was liegt daran? Erzähle.
Es liegt darin ein wenig Klang,
ein wenig wohllaut und Gesang,
und eine ganze Seele.
Have a nice weekend an lovely wishes from
Angelina
Hey David, was hälst du eigentlich von “AMAZING GRACE”???
Dear David
Auch hinter alten,
brüchigen Mauern kann
Fröhlichkeit zu Hause sein.
Dass Du Dich nicht nur
auf Deinen ersten Eindruck verlässt,
sondern Dir die Mühe machst,
hinter die Fassaden zu schauen,
das wünsche ich Dir
Ich wünsche Dir,
dass Du auch solche Türen öffnest,
die scheinbar ins Leere führen.
Es können sich Dir ganz neue,
ungeahnte Erkenntnisse schliessen.
Verborgene Schönheiten warten darauf,
von Dir entdeckt zu werden.
Ich wünsche Dir offene Augen dafür.
Diese kleinen Gedichte, widme ich Dir für den heutigen Tag.
Take care of you and have a very nice day.
Lovely Greetings from Angelina
Hallo DAVID,
Musikvorschlag: ELOISE von Barry Ryan
So viele Menschen meiner Generation lieben dieses Lied – bitte, mach doch den Versuch, ob es sich
“Ver-David-Musizieren” lässt (was´n Unwort!).
Du bist auf diesem Planeten wirklich der Einzige, dem ich das bedenkenlos zutraue.
Du liebst doch HERAUSFORDERUNGEN !?!
Dear David:
my english is no good, but i want you know , when i hear your music, my soul so moving!!
May you not Taiwan is where, but we want you know we LOVE you!
I hope one day you can come to taiwan ,LOVE YOU!!!
Have a beautiful day!
zoe
Vorhin habe ich ein paar Sprüche gesucht und dabei diesen gefunden. Sofort musste ich an David denken, denn alles trifft auf ihn zu…
“Manche Menschen wissen nicht,
Wie wichtig es ist, dass sie da sind,
Wie gut es ist, sie zu sehen,
Wie tröstlich ihr Lachen wirkt,
Wie wohltuend ihre Nähe ist,
Wie viel ärmer wir ohne sie wären
Und:
Dass sie ein Geschenk des Himmels sind”
Ich hoffe von ganzem Herzen, dass du das liest David.
Auch wenn ich vielleicht mit meinen vierzehn Jahren einer deiner jüngsten Fans bin ( und vielleicht dein größter;)) will ich, dass du das hier siehst! Es soll nicht geschleimt sein.
Danke für alles!!;) Vielleicht treffe ich dich ja doch einmal persönlich, nicht nur bei Konzerten, ich hätte dir so viel zu erzählen…
Bleib so, wie du bist!!<3
Viel Glück, Kraft, gute Freunde, Gesundheit und Atempausen wünsche ich Dir. Möge Dir Deine Natürlichkeit erhalten bleiben und die Freude an der Musik ( einzige Weltsprache, in der es keine Missverständnisse geben kann , weil sie jenseits aller Worte das Wesentliche im Menschen erreicht).Du bist ein Meister im Gebrauch dieser Sprache . Ich wünsche Dir, dass Du niemals in den Sog des Kommerzes gerätst, sondern Dir Deine Freiheit bewahren kannst.
Menschen wie Du es bist, sind selten zu finden ( nee, kein Honig um den Bart ) und ich freue mich, wenn ich erlebe, welchen großen Einfluß Du auf so viele -besonders junge – Menschen hast. Qualität überzeugt eben doch :) !
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Deinem Geburtstag!
David,P.S.:make an effort and do not open your mouth in that orgasmic way of yours,while in Bucharest at Enescu’s.I’ll be in the first row and i do not want to have a heart attack.I can barely face your music,style,looks,how on earth can i cope with your erotic facial expressions?So,content yourself,for God sake.And if you don’t want to see my grandmother cross over,not the way you do it,but into a better world,do not let your hair loose.She will be with me at the concert,she loves every form of art and beauty,and when she watches the video at The Fifth,she asks for her pills.Not to mention that since she has discovered you,she gave up watching cartoons.So,please,no hair loose and no too much mouth waiving us,or you will see 2 women in the first row,seeming asleep,but in fact,fainted!Again yours,Anka
Lieber David,
alles Gute zum Geburtstag !!
Ich wünsche dir weiterhin viel Spass mit deiner Liebe zur Musik und zum Leben.
Ich werde wohl dein Geburtstag nie mehr vergessen,
denn vor einem Jahr, zu deinem 30.,hat meine Tochter geheiratet ;-).
Freue mich schon sehr dich in Frankfurt zu sehen und zu hören !!!
Enjoy your day !!