Article on David Garrett in the italian La Stampa, 27.May 2015, english translation

1. David Garrett brings the violin along to the Piazza Duomo. "Me a rock star? Absolutely
not, I'm studying also on the plane".
Saturday free concert at the Piazza Duomo, with the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Riccardo Chailly.
2.5 million CDs sold. In 2012 the cover of "Music” was "Viva la vida" of Coldplay, played
with the violin.
He was 11 years old when he got his first Stradivarius - a gift from the German President
Weizsäcker, after a concert in his honor.
In 2013 he made his debut as an actor in the movie "The Devil's Violinist”, where he played
the role of Paganini.
The important thing is the quality of the work, a great tradition to be kept alive and to be
passed on to younger people. David Garrett has a Stradivarius and a Guadagnini
Every time he has to defend himself about the Rock'n'Roll tattoo on his arm. “It’s just for
fun, no deeper meaning behind it. The same goes also for the skull ring." He’s also accused
for having been a model for Vogue, in order to pay his studies at the Julliard School, and
that the girls love him. "The important thing is how you make music, the rest is just gossip".
2.5 million CDs sold. The blonde, pretty, cute David Garrett, corny named as the Beckham
of classical music, will play Saturday night at the Piazza Duomo in Milan, under the
direction of Riccardo Chailly.
An open-air concert in front of 50,000 people: Aren’t you afraid?
Not necessarily: I am accustomed to both, open-air concerts and to a lot of people. I know,
what might be the potential acoustic problems of such a challenge, but I also know that
everything is under control. I find it amazing, that the music will reach so many people -
some of which have never been to a concert. The only shudder is the weather... "
May was not so bad for Milan…
I know the city as a tourist, and I was often at the Piazza Duomo. It is an honor to be able
to play there.
You’ll play with Chailly for the first time ...
I think he likes me, as he has chosen me. We value each other and wanted to realize this
respect. I'll play the Bruch concert, that I recently recorded with Zubin Mehta, it’s
emotional and captivating. Plus Paganini’s Caprice No. 24, and Czardas from Monti.
The orchestra will also play the Brahms overture and the symphonies from the
"Guglielmo Tell" by Rossini and the "Vespri Siciliani" by Verdi. By the way, you identify
yourself quasi with Paganini, you played him in the movie "The Devil's Violinist".
I gave a lot to the movie, it was amusing, but it’s not my profession.
Translation Margherita Zunino

2. The encore is intriguing. Last time in Turin, just after the Bach Sarabande, you have
played "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson, but it could be as well "Smells Like Teen
Spirit" from Nirvana, or "Walk This Way" from Aerosmith. All played on his 1715
Stradivarius.
It is not decided yet, it depends on the atmosphere and the audience.
Does it bother you to be called a crossover musician?
I do not mind. The important thing is the quality of the work, a great tradition to be kept
alive, and to be passed on to younger people. The conversation about how I get dressed, my
appearance, or the enthusiasm of the female fans are a mere "supplement".
You travel on the road like a whirlwind 340 days per year. If you are alone with yourself
while flying or taking a rest in a hotel, what kind of music do you listen to?
You will not believe it, but I’m always learning. Now it’s the turn of the Brahms Sonatas.
But you will also rest.
All of August I'll be on holiday. During the other months it‘s enough for me to catch up on
sleep. You can play until you have bleeding fingers, but without energy you play pretty bad.
Translation Margherita Zunino