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)
David, Stratovarius / Stratosphere from Finland. What do tou like that?
David, I just discovered you when I read an article about you the day you performed here in Edmonton. I was intrigued by the description of your marriage of rock and classical music. I went home that night and watched video after video on YouTube. I became an instant fan! I’m sorry I missed your performance here. Please come back soon! You’re brilliant. — Julie
David, I saw you this evening for the first time live at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. You are the most amazing and ingenious artist! I have loved watching your concerts on d.v.d., but to see you in person was truly a gift. I can’t wait until you and your fantastic band return to Pittsburgh again!
For the last 3 years I have been studying towards my degree in business management. I have battled to study all that time untill I have listened to your music. I can NOT go without my David Garrett music whilst studying! So from a VERY GRATEFULL fan – a massive thank you for the incredible change you have made in my life. You have inspired me so much that I will be booking a ticket to come see you live hopefully in April or May. I might have to sell some posessions to do that but this inspirational music is most definitely worth it!!!!! Thanks from a sunny South Africa!
¡Hola!
Greetings from Puerto Rico, dear Mr. Garrett! Only recently have I heard from your music and I can say I am impressed as a 6 years violinist! Sadly, I can’t go to any of your upcoming concerts since the only break I have (being a high schooler) you are in the Europes! So I wish you luck in your playing and hope you come back to the states! ¡Adios! -Ea Rayos
Hello David
Thank you for your great performance last night in Nokia Theater, Los Angeles. I especially loved your new piece Stop Crying Your Heart Out. Hope you record it soon so I could buy it :) You are such an inspiration. Now I want to play violin. I love you and your music very much. Thank you.
HEY David i am so inspired by you. you have no idea. i play the violin in my high schools orchestra which i have been doing since fourth grade. i live in kentucky and sadly i have never seen you live at all i wish i could see you and even meet you cause your such an inspiration to me. i have only two of your cd’s but i have all of them on my computer right now. i love listening to your music it just inspires me to play my violin all day over the weekends even the days when i have nothing other to do i either play my violin,or guitar,i am also learning some cello. but i think you should come to Lexington Kentucky just so people here can here you. You are an amazing player and i hope i get to see you in a performance here soon:). THanks. Keeo on playing David :)
Hello David
As a music teacher in the public schools, I am always trying to find exciting, appropriate music to accompany the activities in my music classes. I used one of your CDs’ recently and after each of my classes, the students all wanted to know who made the CD. I was very happy to share that info with them. Your music energizes me as a musician and I knew it would do the same for my students. It is definitely a way to get younger people interested in classical music. I plan to show them your performance of the Schubert Serenade now that I have their attention.
Thank you for sharing your passion for music with all of us.
Meu filho me apresentou suas musicas neste ano novo e fiquei encantada pois sempre adorei musica em todos os generos. Voce consegue unir de forma tão linda que é impossivel não passar horas ouvindo e sentindo todo este amor que voce sente por seu dom. Espero um dia ter a oportunidade de assistir-lo ao vivo. Seria espetacular ter um show seu aqui no Brasil.
Que Deus sempre ilumine seu caminho.
Caro David,
ti auguro un dolce é sereno natale:-)
FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!;))
Halli hallo, David ich wünsch dir ein tolles Weihnachtsfest und nen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!! Bitte bleib so zu deinen Fans wie du bist und Schenk uns noch so viele zahlreiche Konzerte…;DD
Feier schön mit deinen Liebsten und alles Gute!!<3
ANNA<33
I’m simply awed by you and your great accomplishments, David! You continue to mesmerize me with your charm, talent and music! I’m hooked on you forever! But I love you for you!
Gracias David por regalarnos tus talento , me encanta ver a un artista tan entregado , simplemente llevas la musica en el alma, :D saludos desde Mexico.
Hallo David,
ich wünsche Dir ein schönes, besinnliches Weihnachtsfest mit deiner Familie und Freunden in New York!
Hoffentlich kommst du mal ein bissle zur Ruhe und kannst die Nähe deiner Lieben genießen.
Herzliche Grüße von Britta
…..ich freue mich schon wie verrückt auf das Konzert mit David und Julian Quentin am 07.05.12 in Stuttgart!
THXs- Danke Dir ! For a great concert in Stockholm !
I don t know when you plan to add KISS to your repetoire…. but “Beth” is a hint of advice…
I recognized myself when u told the story about the hotel beds- after having 125 days on the road I know the feeling.
I sincerely hope u enjoyed our city and GOOD LUCK !
:)
Vielen dank fur einem schönes konzert in Stockholm!
That was my poor old school-german. The consert was awsome.
I notice that in the pause ,all the musicians left their instrument, exceot for
you. I guess your violin is very rare and expensive. Anyway; Thanks!
// Marina
You are a true Rock-Angel ! Awesome concert in Copenhagen 20/11/2011. Thank you!
I love you david
je suis contente d’avoir découvert ton talent! C’est incroyable de voir et d’entendre toute les pieces magnifiques que tu interprete avec ton style unique. TU EST BEAU, TU EST EXTRAORDINAIIREMENT BON! Bravo! Marie-thé.