What do you think ?
Let me know what you think. Either if you have seen me live, on YouTube or if you just want to express yourself.
I will every now and then, comment your messages.
All the best!
Aleksey
Let me know what you think. Either if you have seen me live, on YouTube or if you just want to express yourself.
I will every now and then, comment your messages.
All the best!
Aleksey
Hi Aleksey,
Thank you for your idea with the concert. I couldn’t belive that it helped!
But know my violin teacher gave me new notes … The 2nd violinconcert in G-major of Haydn which isn’t much easier
Yours Cäcilia
PS: Thank you so much for comming to Stuttgart!
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Great Cäcilia, so how about playing the Haydn standing on your head and riding a unicicle?
I guess until Stuttgart!
Wake up sweaty at night? i was licking you…
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Dear Aleksey!
Oh that world record concert was so great!!! I so loved being there up on stage with all of you. Usually, I’m very nervous on stage, but this time it was all forgotten, because there was only room for happiness: Music! – and us violinists playing and dancing together with my favourite musicians…Thank you!!!! (And thanks for the photo, too.)
How about doing this again, next year? There are so many other organizations that would be glad if somebody’d set a world record for them, right? Tibet Aid, for instance? How would you like “The most milk foaming violinists ever”? – I got a milk foamer for Christmas, you know
I hate to urge, as you might remember, but what about this workshop in Germany or Austria…did you already talk to your secret agent?
Oh, and – I know you always mind signing things, but would you forgive me, if next time I’d ask you to sign your notes, too – I’ve got (almost) five books…;-)
I miss you all so much!!!!!
Hoping to meet you again on stage some time,
Yours,
Wiebke
P.S. Those composers you wrote about – I also like them (especially Barock) But how do you like Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, John Williams, Carl Davis and Charlie Chaplin?
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Hi Wiebke,
It was great having you there! The milk foamer world record sounds like a great idea… nice thinking girl.
We will try to do workships in the German speaking area, I promise!
I would absolutely love to sign all of your (or my) music for you, of course.
We miss you too!!!
Aleksey
P.S. Yes, the film composers you mentioned are great of course and actually we are planning to do a Charlie Chaplin number in our next show.
Here are some more film music names I love (besides the ones I menioned below): Bernard Herrmann, Dany Elfman and Vangelis, who also happens to be a personal friend of Hyung-kis and mine (check out his legendary music for Bladerunner or Chariots of Fire). In fact he was a friend of Henry Mancini and says that I look exactly like him… there is something in that – check out some pictures of Mancini (wonderful composer of pink panther and many other amazing tunes)
Hi Aleksey,
Congratulations for your world record! I just found the video on youtube after searching for it. Actually I was a little sad of not having the time to go to Vienna and watch the “new year’s slide” live, but am just too busy right now to take a few days off. But I even thought of it l that evening! I was waiting for midnight, and suddenly it occurred to me that at that very moment in my home town there were probably some hundred violinists riverdancing on the Konzerthaus-stage….Funny thought to end and start a new year with….
Kind regards, Natascha
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Well Natascha, you were with us in spirit. Come next time
Dear (probably craziest violinist of the world) Aleksey!
Yesterday I saw the new Sherlock Holmes film and it was just great! Maybe great isn’t the right word… i really enjoyed seeing it! Amazing
Your such a great musician and it’s always a pleasure to “see” or “hear” you working together with Hans Zimmer
I really liked that in this one were more of those “gipsy” sounding pieces.. I
was very happy to find your name in the end titles..
How long does it take to make the recordings for a film like Sherlock Holmes? Do you have a favourite movie? I wish you good luck tomorrow and a happy new year! Viola
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Dear Viola,
Thank you for the flattering title – I do take that entirely as a compliment!
We worked for many, many months on the soundtrack and recorded for several days with wonderful Roma musicians in Vienna also, which was so much fun. Hans is wonderful to work with – a lot of creativity going around!
My favorite movie? Hmmm, hard to say, so many… would it be weird if I said “Southpark, Bigger, Longer and Uncut”? Its a great, rediculous story and the music is simply amazing. Otherwise, here is a small list of a few “must see” movies (from my point of view) for you – they are movies I can watch more than once at least and not in any particular order:
Amadeus
Spinal Tap
Borat
Delikatessen
The Big Lebowsky
Pulp Fiction
Being John Malkovich
Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Great Dictator
Once Upon a Time in the West
Crimes and Misdemeanors
This list is entirely uncomplete and very unconventional, I know, but thats my taste…
happy new year to you too!
Hello!
First of all, I just want to say that your YouTube videos are my absolute faves to watch!!
You are such an amazing musician and know how to please an audience so well — I wish I had your talent.
I was wondering if it would be possible for me to get the sheet music for the piece ‘How to turn 14 Famous Violin Concertos into Happy Birthday in under 3 Minutes’ (or The Soloists’ Ultimate Birthday)? I would like to purchase it, but I didn’t see it on the website where your other sheet music are sold. My friend would really like to play that piece and I really want to give it to him as a gift. Please let me know!!!
Thank you soo much for your music! Your playing is truly marvelous.
eunhae
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you are sexy mr Igudesman.I like your hairy body.
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Hmmm, not sure how to respond to that, but I guess I will say thank you
HI!!! Your an awesome violinist!! I have a question that i have been dying to know. Who’s your favorite composer?
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Well, I have soooo many favorite composers…
Renaissance: Thomas Tallis (spem in alium for 40 voices is incredible and John Dowland and John Taverner (there is also a composer who is still alive by the same name I love!)
Barock: Bach (often in combination with Glenn Gould heavenly”), Henry Purcell (Dido and Aeneas – especially Dido’s Lament or “When I am laid to earth is breath-taking) and Vivaldi (wrote over 500 concertos, half of which for violin – although some nasty critics say that he wrote the same concerto 500 times, I am a big fan – and so was Bach by the way who even arranged some of his works!)
Classical: Haydn (especially the string quartets), Mozart (especially c-minor Mass and the piano concertos) and Beethoven (i am a big fan of the Symphonies and not just 5 and 9! also his late string quartets are womderful – try “Grosse Fuge” to be mind blown)
Romantic: Schubert (although, he is kind of in between classical and romantic – his Winterreise songs are incredible, but also his string quintet), Chopin (strange for a violinist, right?), Tchaikovsky, Brahms (although the 2 hated each other!), Schumann (especially his piano quartet)
Early 20th centuary: Prokofiev (I listend to everything by him as a kid, too many good things to single out anything), Stravinsky (especially his early ballets), Bartok (love his divertimento and his concerto for orchestra, besides many other works), Rachmaninov (yes, he is early 20th centuary, believe it or not! try his fantastic rhapsody on paganini), Debussy (many great works and a wonderful violin sonata-his last work), Ravel (not just the bolero- try “La Valse” his hommage to Johann Strauss, whom I also love, by the way)
Late 20th centuary: John Cage (a freak, but a genious in so many ways – beside 4:33, try “water walk”), Ligetti (my composition teachers teacher – try his etudes and works for harpsichord), Lutoslawski (early work-paganini variation is lovely but his late stuff is great too), Messiaen (his organ works are wonderful), Michael Tippet (very underrated English composer – great concerto for double string orchestra)
Still alive composers: Steve Reich ( a lot of nice music-piano phase was abug influence on me), John Adams (short ride in a fast machine is wonderful), Arvo Pärt (Fratres is unspeakably beautiful) John Tavenrner (the modern one – try “the protecting veil”)
Composers that are usually more “popular” but still amazing: Ennio Morricone (the film music legend), Hans Zimmer (who I have often the privilege of working with), Henry Mancini (he wrote pink panther and many other great film scores – people who knew him, say I look like him), Frank Zappa (he was a big inspiration during my teenage years-his album Sheik Yerbouty is one of my all-time favorites) Freddie Mercury and Queen (just about everything – even the very early albums), Roger Waters/David Gilmore and Pink Floyd (dark side of the moon and final cut), Astor Piazzolla (the great master of the modern Tango – he also had the same composition teacher as my composition teacher – the great Nadia Boulanger)
I am sure that I have left so many things and cmposers that are “my favorite” out – but you get the idea, right? There is so much great music around!
Have ever played Vivaldi? This concert in a-minor? I’ve been playing that a half year and I slowly get fed up with it!
Greetings from Germany, Cäcilia
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Yes I have played the piece. Play it for another year and you will REALLY get fed up with it? Try playing each “a” on a different string – that will spice it up a bit!
Hi,
) and when I returned this a million times better happy birthday version existed. So now that I don’t have the chance of uploading mine, I thought I might as well tell you. I hope that next year I will be faster 
once again it’s me…
There is something I have to tell you, even if it’s already quite late for that. It’s funny or actually odd and sad.
You know, this Happy Birthday piece you played together with Julian Rachlin…
A long time before it was on youtube I started to write something. Something for your birthday. I did the same thing like you, I mixed the Happy Birthday Song with another piece ( with “Für Elise” so it became “Für Aleksey”…if one kind of mumbles your name it sounds a tiny little bit like Elise, (I hope that doesn’t offend you). Only you mixed it with so many and of course so much better. Of this piece I wrote I have only a very bad recording as I had to play the piano part myself and also the violin part so it’s not really a playing-together piece. I didn’t dare upload it then, for it was before your birthday, and I was hoping to get to play it with someone else sometime soon, ready in time, but then we were in France (no internet access
Please accept my unfortunately very very very belated best wishes.
Wiebke
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Please upload it Wiebke, I want to see it on YouTube!
Dear Aleksey,
Thanks for your kind reply! I already had a bad conscience caus I am unexperienced in writing fan-mail; so my message did not contain things like “I love you” or “You are my super-hero”….although up to a certain degree of course both apply
And: I discovered my new favourite Igudesman-video on youtube: Bach versus Vanessa Mae!! It’s marvellous! Sebastian Gürtler is a funny guy (like you!), I met him in 2005 when I performed at Lockenhaus organ festival where he performed with Wolf-Quartett.
So when I have money again I will definitely buy The Cyber Conductor, but right now I am paying off the loan for two instruments…. :p
Kind regards, Natascha
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Dear Natasha, thanks again for writing and I will be your super-hero, even if you dont write it
Are you ever going to be performing in Mexico?????
Thank you and wish you the best
PS Hopefully Joo comes too
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I very much hope so Jorge. Me encanta tu pais!
“LA CUCARACHA”…
Dear Aleksey,
Have you ever played below your normal level in a performance, and therefore been angry afterwards (on yourself, your assistant, your instrument and on the audience caus they still liked it)?
Well, this happened to me two days ago. The church was cold, I had stiff fingers, the organ had troubles – and the assistent (for turning pages/pulling stops) as well….!
After the concert I was a little bit upset; the whole thing felt so unprofessional.To cheer myself up I decided to watch you on youtube after coming home. So later that evening I was still trapped in an Igudesman-youtube-loop and came across “La cucaracha”, which I did not know before. And suddenly – I was laughing out loud. I thought “Haha, well this is about what happened to me tonight in the concert”.
So thanks Aleksey (and Hyung-Ki) for uploading this, I really got into a good mood again!
Kind regards,
Natascha
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Dear Natascha,
So glad you enjoyed “La Cucaracha”! Everybody has off days, but the main point is, when everything seems to go wrong, to try to enjoy it and make the best of it. Who knows what its good for? And kleep up the good mood
Алексей! Так радует, что Вы находите время отвечать нам тут!
спасибо Вам!
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Spasiba tebe tozhe Lena! I mi mozhem tut gavarit na ti
By the way, I loved playing in Moscow and hope to return soon… now on my way to the USA.
Hi,
a funny thing happened a fortnight ago: I was at a concert with a friend. On stage there were a grand piano and a music stand and I just told her, “Hey, that looks absolutely like at Igudesman&Joo’s show…” Anyway, after three curtaincalls – everyone knows that the best is kept for last – the violinist sais the exact, familiar words: ” And now Ladies and Gentlemen – Mozart”
It was so hard not to laugh out loud! I therefore postponed it till after the concert
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Its fine, you are officially allowed to laugh even during a concert – I give you the permission for it Wiebke! Mind you, dont forget you might be thrown out of a lot of places, but simply blame me – I am fine with that!
Алексей! я приеду в Москву, чему очень рада! Жду с нетерпением!
))
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Great, see you in Moscow on the 2. of october Lena!
Здравствуйте, Алексей! Покорена вашим творчеством! Приезжайте в Питер! Очень хочется посетить Ваш концерт!
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Thank you Lena! How about coming to Moscow in october?
Здравствуйте, Алексей!
Не могла не воспользоваться возможностью лично выразить восторги от вашей работы. Получила дикое удовольствие от просмотра A Crazy Night in Verbier! Огромное Вам спасибо за то, что поднимаете такие грандиозные проекты и делитесь с нами своим бешеным талантом!
Всего самого наилучшего,
Катя
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Thank you for the sweet (Russian) words Katja. For those who dont understant Russian, she said that I am the strong man in the world and she has watched me winning the heavy-weight violin barock wrestling championships 3 times in a row…
Hey do you have your shows on youtube? if then plz share here.
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Hallo aus München!!
Gibt es eine Notenausgabe von “Mozart-Bond” bzw. “Alla Molto Turca”???
Ich finde leider nichts.
Wäre aber toll…
Viele Grüße
Annette Böhm
Thanks! Sorry, I was already starting to regret what I wrote, because I thought I had gone too far. Sorry. Promise, you’re not upset it, yes?
Yes, I can imagine the big crowd backstage, bet you couldn’t breathe because your fans wouldn’t leave any open space. Sorry, I couldn’t help them. Was there with a friend of my mother’s and she’s two little children at home, so I thought it’d be very impolite to insist on staying and keep here waiting, see. However, I will make up for it next time, if you like: I’ll be staying twice as long, ask for twice as many autographs and whatever fans do…you know, I’m not an experienced fan. I’ve never before met someone I’m a fan of. By the way, did you already speak to your non-secret agent about the workshop? I’d so much love to learn from you!
See you,
Wiebke
P.S. Unfortunately, your next concert in Germany will be in the middle of the week during school time…! So no chance for me to be a real fanlike pain-in-your-neck.
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correcting mistake: “upset about it” sorry!
Hi Aleksey,
) And if you’re that old, do you know how ancient greek music sounds?
Listen, yesterday, a strange thought crossed my mind: I was there at Itzehoe and it was a dream (it can’t be reality actually, for it was so GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!)
Anyway, if that cow is Joo’s favourite, and also it’s Jesus’ favourite cow…and then you always said Joo’s a Jew…it kind of fits doesn’t it? Jesus was a Jew, so…if Joo…is Jesus…who are you? And by the way, how old are you two? (Some people say Jesus was born 4-6 B.C.
Well then, see you next time you’re around. I’ll bring you some new customers. How can one meet you after concerts? Wait near the stage?
Best wishes to you and hoping+longing+desiring+-fill in anything that fits here-,+… to see you in concert again very very soon. You’re amazing!
Wiebke
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I am Joseph the sheppard and we are abviously both over 2000 years old, right? Ancient Greek music sounds like this:
The most persistant and waiting around fans usually make it to see us, have autographs, photos… abviously you were not persistant enough, since others came backstage
I really hope to see you again in a concert Wiebke, keep on the crazy and creative comments!
Dear Aleksey,
now I have to write something beautiful (like I am) on your page. You are doing a great job and furthermore you are a great comedian. I just love you, ehh, your humor and the way you play your violin. So we have something in common,…its just…that I am not as that brilliant like you playing the violin. But, por favor, be careful when you turn the violin several times in your hand, I always get nervous seeing that….
Was ich jedoch sehr beeindruckend fand, ist dein Deutsch, als ich dich am Samstag in Karlsruhe gesehen habe. Da wusste ich jedoch noch nicht, dass du in Deutschland teilweise aufgewachsen bist und in Wien studiert hast. Also, nur noch halb so beeindruckt, haha. Además tienes una pronunciación bastante buena cuando hablas espaniol. También lo dijo mi marido que es mexicano. Al final, hay que decir that I really like the way you act and I think it would be really funny drink a deutsches Bier, russian Vodka o solamente un cafecito while playing the violin and laughing about stupid, infantil things. Mach(t – schöne Grüsse an JOO) weiter so, du/ihr seid einfach brilliant!
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Well thank you very much Karen, das freut mich sehr que te gusta what I am doing! Hope to see you in anither concert soon…
First of all, YOU ARE REALLY SPONTANEOUS!!! Please say hi to Joo for me. And, your technique and dancing seem to get better as you age. I especially like the fact that your Latin routine isn’t overdone. Afterall, it is a family concert–right? Well, cheers!
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Thanks a lot, glad you liked it! Yes, the Latin stuff was not too raunchy, but still fun and sexy, I am so grateful to all the wonderful violinists in Verbier and of course Rusanda Panfile for her hard work on the choreographies!
Hi! ich hatte vor einiger Zeit die little Nightmare videos gesehen und bin erst jetzt darauf gestoßen das du auch komponierst und das auch für Filmmusik in Hollywood huh! hast du dir das Kompositions”handwerk” über die Jahre angeeignet gezielt angeiignet oder ist es eher frei aus dem Bauch herausschreiben? ich frage das weil für mich filmmusik eine art traumberuf ist aber ich habe leider das falsche angefangen zu studieren… informatik und lerne nebenbei die grundlagen für klassische komposition mit ein bisschen unterricht. Wenn du ein paar eindrücke erzählen würdest von deiner arbeit in hollywood wäre das super !
Mal sehen ob ich es einrichten kann am 6ten August in Karlsruhe zu sein
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Mann braucht beides, ein leichtigkeit das man frei aus dem Bauch schreibt und das Handwerk. Das kann man sich entweder in Schulen erlernen oder aber durch selber probieren, lernen und Lehrer die einen insiprieren. Es ist extrem spannend mit Hans und allen anderen zu arbeiten, aber oft ist es auch ganz trockene Knochenarbeit. Wie bei den meisten Sachen ist es 10 Prozent Inspiration und 90 Prozent Persperation.
really excellent performance at Pandamonium in the Park with Hans Zimmer, sensational playing, (this clip does not do you justice but a good memory. Thank you for great entertainment. http://youtu.be/xZ0nczcVsfY
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Hei Aleksey !
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the concert at Althorp. You looked very stylish in the ‘zebra pants’.
Looked like you were having great fun up there with Ann Marie & Tina.
Hope to see you again sometime – I will sign up to the newsletter.
I have written a little write up and photos on my blog if you have time.
http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/
Stay well and warm wishes Peter.
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Thanks a lot for your interest and your lovely blog. I appreciate it Peter!
Hello Aleksey…!
I became your fan a month ago, and since that, I’ve watching your movies on youtube, meanly The Well-Tempered Igudesman & Joo and Alla Molto Turca…AWESOME…you guys really have sense of humor!!!
I hope one day can watch you guys on the stage having fun with your comedy and good music…!
Greeting from Brazil…hugs!
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Hi Vitor! I really hope to come with Igudesman & Joo to Brazil soon… maybe even this year! hugs from Vienna
Hello Aleksey,
I’m 19 years old, and I saw you for first time several years ago, in youtube.
I love your work, your music, I love Igudesman & Joo shows. I would like to transmit you my admiration for your work.
I’m from Albacete, Spain. I know that is very difficult you come here, but if you come to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, I would go to see you.
It’s very difficult for me speaking English now, because in these situations it’s difficult to say what I want… I mean, it’d be difficult also in Spanish haha.
El español es una lengua muy bonita y ójala puedas leer y comprender estos pequeños párrafos en español. Siempre puede ayudar Google con su traductor =).
Aleksey, sinceramente, vuestro trabajo es genial, fenomenal, increíble, alucinante, fantástico.
Desde hace unos años son un gran admirador vuestro y no dudo en enseñar todo vuestro trabajo a mis amigos.
Espero que algún día vengáis a España y pueda veros en persona, estaría encantando de ser vuestro guía turístico.
Un abrazo.
Regards,
Alejandro, a very big fan.
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Alejandro, no te preocupez demasiado, hablo castellano! Veramente grazias por tus palabras, y yo tambien espero muchissimo que puedemos venir y tocar en enspana en poco tiempo!
Do you know Uruguay? When do you comes? Where? Uruguay is wonderful, the people, all… Thanks for your composition! Ali
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Of course I know Uruguay – there is a song, isnt there?
I would love to go back some time. Espero que vengo pronto!
Да, чэр гут фэрштендлих ди нэуэ Тэкзт. Вэр гэшрибэн хат? Ду? Ду йммэр зо люзтиш бизт Шпасфогл!
Sorry, couldn’t help it…please don’t be upset.
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Got to thank you again. Your “past-me” saved me once more. We had to watch such a horrible film…in social studies…really so bad! I was crying all way home and thought being dead must be better than being part of this cruel world. You saved me. I think there’s something missing on your website. It only sais: violinist composer conductor actor, whereas there should also be “magician” and “doctor” (No, I don’t like doctors…so let’s remain with magician – with healing powers). You’re able to comfort people by conjuring up a smile in everybody’s face and making their hearts light. And I want to see the person who you can’t make laugh, or actually, I don’t want to see that person. Thanks,
Wiebke
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It was unheard of to generate your own MLM leads and, free MLM leads was absolutely out of the question. The only option available was
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Apart from Riverdancing violinists, there may be riverwalking violinists, but there certainly are riverstanding violinists…
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Hi, so you’re fine, yes? (How could I ever doubt it, with you promising “I will survive” for years? Just don’t wear this horrible red mask again, okay?) You know, you’re not only introducing people to classical music…I mean, you do, but I’ ve been listening to and playing much more classical music, kletzmer, eastern european, gypsy, celtic and film music than pop music (there are only few songs I like, that’s why)…wouldn’t have known for instance “I will survive” and to be honest, I like your version much better than the original one. At school we’re learning about music in the 20th century at the moment, most of it was horrible, the rest beyond that. I hope to never hear twelve-tone music again, it hurt my ears. Not to speak about the “music” that sounds like shrieking monkeys…sorry. I hate to speak like this about music, but that’s a kind of music I cannot understand at all. Right, and if you still haven’t had enough of a person writing so much, then I’m quite amazed. And thank you, thank you and thanks again, I might be repeating myself but I always thought there is a point of awesomeness nobody can pass, just to find you miles beyond it…still -oh, what’s the English word for “schneller werden”?-let’s say, you’re doing an accelerando
Bye
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P.S. No craze, but serious: When you’re in germany next week, maybe you shouldn’t eat raw vegetables – perhaps you already heard about this new EHEC-flu? Just wanted to be sure you have…no need to panic, but just take care, will you?
Yours,
W.
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Dont worry Wiebke, its great you are writing so much – keep it going and stay inspired! And its fine, I wont eat any vegetabels, I will stick to raw meat and uncooked fish
Mmmmh, sounds delicious and very healthy…poor animals…so they die because of EHEC, too – in an indirect way -…well, as long as you, at least, leave the piglets unharmed (like this famous poet said: “Let the piglets go”)…by the way, I think nobody said that sweets were dangerous…so how about having chocolate and cake for meals?
Why did you burn that cake?!
Oooooooh! You’re playing so beautifully! You know this situation: Someone plays and you start to smile because you like it so much and you only just realize your smile, when suddenly the one isn’t playing anymore and you get kind of sad and feel the corners of your mouth drop? Well, nobody has ever been able to put me in this situation before, though there’s a lot of music I like – you’re the first one who did it (and that was just the videos, mind, so what about live performances?). (What must you be thinking about me! Be certain I’m not a crawler! I just really am, well, a fan. A fanatic fan who fancies seeing (and listening) you perform, see?
Did you already ask your (secretly secret) agent? I urge you whilst not wanting to urge you, so…
I’ve got another question: Is there any kind of music that you don’t like at all or really loathe? You needn’t answer this question, if you don’t want to – I’m just curious.
So, all the best and maybe see you in Itzehoe.
Yours,
Wiebke
P.S. I’m actually never talking this much, only writing…really hoping I’m not a pain in your neck, because it isn’t fun to play when you got a headache, right?
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Hi,
Just taking a little break from practicing right now (5 minutes) – we’ll have a concert this evening. So, your agent…are you sure she’s not a secret agent? I mean they’re secret, aren’t they, so how should you know? Also by pointing out that she is not a secret agent you might have tried to hide that she actually is…right, it’s not my best joking-day today, sorry. Anyway, may I ask you something else? How often do you have to change the strings of your violin? 
Oh, and by the way, you’re m- damn, shouldn’t have used the word “marvellous” last time – what am I supposed to say this time?! Marvellousest? OK, got an idea: You play the violin and listen to it and then you know what I mean. No, sorry, this isn’t a good one, either, sorry, can’t concentrate right now, sorry, bye.
oh, that’s good news, thanks
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come to argentina! i love your music! sos un genio! es fantastico lo que haces felicitaciones!!!
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Gracias Luisa, quiero muchissimo venir a tu pais precioso! Esperemos que seria pronto.
Wiebke, are you sure, that you are the biggest of the biggest fan??
)
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Yeah, I am. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be, too. It just means nobody can be even more fanatic than you and I are.
P.S. I was certainly not referring to weight, when I said “big”, though.
Now, now Liza and Wiebke, no fighting, you cann all be the biggest and heaviest and largest fans – I belong to the both of you
Hey,
saw some more videos…got to tell you: You’re not as marvellous as I first thought – you’re a thousand times as marvellous!!!
Thank you for being Aleksey Igudesman! (Couldn’t have anyone else be that person.) Without you, there would be a big black hole in the world of music – and comedy! I hope you can see at least part of the euphoria you’re causing…
Many greetings,
Yours,
Your new and big (the biggest of the biggest) fan, Wiebke
P.S. Is there a chance you might offer a workshop in Germany some time soon? (Pleasepleasepleaseplease…)
P.P.S. If you don’t stop me right now I’m probably going to write such loads that your message board will be several kilometres long…can’t keep my fingesrs still…
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Wiebke, you can write as much as you like – keep your fingers moving girl! I would love to offer a workshop in Germany some time – its a nice idea and I will mention it to my agent in Germany (dont worry, she is not a secret agent) Looking forward to more crazy, long comments from you!
Hi,
) – because I’m playing the violin, too. I’m 15 now, so…I’ve been playing for 8 years. To be honest, me too, I’m practising much harder since I heard you play, although I know there’s no hope that I’ll ever be as good as you…
just wanted to tell you that I love your funny shows and performances, though unfortunately I didn’t yet have the chance to see you perform live and probably won’t have so soon, but one day I’ll come, I swear. Actually I only just discovered you because a friend showed me a video last week and ever since then I have been watching everything there is on youtube with you playing (marvellous) and conducting (great) and and acting (simply outstanding) and… Well, not all the time -only when I’m not practising (ordoing things for school
Oh my god, I hope this isn’t too much…(and I feel like I didn’t even say half of what I wanted to say).
Sorry for this long novel…
All the best,
Wiebke
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You’re great! …..You know “agur”…it’s so funny….I’m one of this those beautiful pianists…..;))))
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Siiii!!
I want a picture together with you please…but I live on the north, Bilbao, and I invite you to know this wonderfull land, the north of Spain….also their food, places, beachs, mountains….and their beautiful womens, specially pianist….
Muchos besos!!
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Are you kidding? The Basque country is my favourite place for food in Europe! And its so beautiful. I really hope to play there again soon. I gather you are one of those beautiful pianists, right? Agur.
Dear Alexei,
I’m spanish pianist. When are you going to play here in Spain???…..I would be great to see you in my country.
Please send me a picture dedicated to my email.
And be always like you are.
Thank you.
Besos!!
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Hola Eva! Quiero tantissimo regresar a España, no puedes imaginarte! Me encanta tu pais. Hopefully next year I will be there and then you can take a picture TOGETHER with me.
Besos y un abrazo
wow……….. you are great and I saw for the first time on youtube and you made me fascinated, at the first video I saw I was open mouth (sorry for my English) i’m Italian
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ciao matteo – grazie per li complimenti – but you can close your mouth now
i will be back in Italy beginning of August – tourdates coming soon!
Hello! I just wanted to say that I originally saw you in the videos “Igudesman and Joo” on youtube. In which I would like to say that I love those videos! Anyway, after watching you play, it made me want to practice harder on playing my violin. I have been playing since I was 11 and now I am 16. I have relaxed on practicing because I get easy to learn music (and I know that I should practice harder on those to perfect my playing on that piece) from my orchestra. Now I am currently learning how to play the 3rd movement of the Summer concerto by Vivaldi as well as the first movement of the Winter concerto. I just wanted to say thank you very much because my violin is extremely important to me.
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Well done Eve, keep on practicing! The violin is very important to me also – and done forget the bow
Алексей, желаю вам творческих успехов! =)
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Hi Aleksey!
Are you’re working with Hans Zimmer on the second Sherlock Holmes score again?
And my second question is.. which resin do you use for your bow?
I’m looking forward to see/hear you in concert some day (:
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Dear Viola (nice name!) yes, I will be working on Sherlock 2 again – looking forward to it a lot! And I use Kaplan Rosin for my bow – the blond one…
If you don’t mind me asking, what books did you practice when you were learning the violin?
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I practiced by reading the entire works of Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde when I was learning the violin, which did not make me a better violinist, but you cant have it all, right? But seriously, I played pretty much anything I could get my hands one – Dont studies, (they are reallly called that!) Kreutzer, Paganini, Wieniawsky.
By the way, thank you for your previous comments about taking lessons (it’s near the top). I now have a violin teacher who is great, and he teaches me for no money at all (although I’m far from being a genius) but I am determined to become a violinist. I told you once that I would ask you an important question once I am 15. Here it is: What is the most important part of being a violinist?
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The most important part if being a violinist is having a violin and playing it. There rest kind of falls into place. Ah yes, and keep on asking questions, that helps too!
Hello, Mr. Igudesman. If you were to come to Modesto, CA’s Gallo Center for the Arts, would it be possible for you to incorporate the youth orchestra into your performance? Or even something having to do with young musicians? I just think that you are quite talented, and would greatly appreciate the experience of even a short masterclass. I hope that your agent does book a concert here. I will keep trying my best to get a concert here.
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Hello Aleksey!!
I play the violin since I was 10 years old (now i’m 16) and I like very much your videos!! Will you sell the dvd of “a little nightmare” someday? because i want to buy it.
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Hi Vicky!
You can buy Igudesman & Joo: “A Little Nightmare Music” on amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Igudesman-Joo-Little-Nightmare-Music/dp/B002B4GG1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297362384&sr=8-1
Muito bom o site, e teus trabalhos, sou teu fã, parabéns, gostaria de ir em um show teu aqui no Brasil, no Rio Grande do Sul, seria muito bom. Parabéns!
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Dear Aleksey,
During my school’s winter concert, we did a rendition of the “cyber conductor.” If you have the time please check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Waey58NFJ74
Thank you for the great music, it’s been a great inspiration to me.
-Steve Park (Arizona, USA)
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Hallo Mr.Igudesman, two of my favourites pupils will take place at the competition Prima la musica 2011 in Graz/Austria, and they will performe two pieces of your Catscratchbook. Please would you like to send me your date of birth, I need it for the registrationsform of the competition.
Liebe Grüße und vielen Dank Michael Kriechbaum
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I am born on the 22. of July 1973. Viel Glück für Prima la musica!
I am no musician but I love music. I found your performances, tracing from the Sherlock Holmes music video.
You and Joo are my hero. I admire and honor your talents and creativity to making the world love music!
My wife, Fujiko, has become an Igudesman & Joo evangelist and is telling all her friends and relatives everyday to go watch your peformance on YouTube.
I wish we can come to your concert. Don’t you have any plan to travel to Japan? When you do, we would like to be your personal guides to tour in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Cheers and God bless you.
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That is very sweet, thank you Fujiko and Junichi. There are some plans being made for us in Japan in spring – as soon as it becomes real and concrete we will post the dates on all the homepages of ours. Hope to see you in Japan soon! (By the way, Japanese is my favorite food in the world!!!)
Heyy! You know what would be amazing? If you and your Asian friend Jew came down to the Capital of the U.S. I’d buy tickets in a heart beat. I’m a composer too. I write for orchestras mainly but unusualy ensembles happen to come my way. I can’t way to have to professionally performed. I had a few pieces of mine performed in the 8th grade by a band but.. kind butchered! Anyways, I was thinking about how amazing it would be if you and Jew did something with Franz Liszt’s Transcendental Etude: Mazena. Or perhaps his hungarian rhapsody. hope to see you at a concert around here! Keep up the laughs. Seems to me like you’re trying to get people to understand classical music isn’t boring. My man!
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Well Nathan, we will surely come to your thereabouts. We thought about doing some stuff with Liszt some time. Keep up the composition!
Hey,
There’s something wrong with your webshop. Can’t order the DVD ;-(
Please do something for me, can’t wait anymore !
I’ve had the chance to watch your concert last year at Joue les Tours. It was brilliant, one hour of perfect happiness. Really hope to see you soon in France. In Paris that time !
Cheers
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Hi Lea,
Sorry you are right, there have been some problems, but it should be fixed in the next days – please try again.
I/we would love to come to Paris of course, soon we hope!
Hey Aleksey,
.for example in bar 5 the glisando from the “e” to the “cis” an to the “b”.I know the youtube video(the man in the front on the chair is great 
)but it’s to far away to identify the technique;)
, but would it be possible to take a lesson by you?
at first:I’m really enthused about your music!I’m a 18years old student from germany(stuttgart) and at the moment I play your “Klezmer’s Freilach” in my violin lesson.I have a performance in my music intensive course in school in december.I love the composition but my teacher and I have a few problems “how” to play a klezmer right
I know it sounds a little bit crazy
And please come to south germany for a concert!!!!!!!!!!
Genet
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well Genet, if you can get out of school for a few days, I am giving masterclasses in Italy at the end of November:
http://www.accademiaperosi.org/site/index.php
maybe see you there?
Aleksey, please, come to Barcelona now!!! My family, and me, need see your live shows!!!
Your version of “Thas modell” in Triology, are the best I ever can see…!!!
Congratulations for your ART!!!
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gracias jesus! igudesman & joo might be in barcelona in the summer – we love your city!
I absolutely love your shows and music. They are hilarious!!! I wish you could come to Taiwan again. I couldn`t get any tickets last time you were here. THEY SOLD OUT!!! They were out already, like, um, one month before you even got here!!! Thanks for all the music. My peers and teachers absolutely loved it!!! Hope you can come soon!
P.S. I play and love the violin.
Claude
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oh I am sorry you couldnt make it in Taiwan but I would absolutely love to return! I think its some of the greatest public in the world – I am not kidding!
till then, have some delicous Tawanese food in my honor please.
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE COME TO CANADA. VERY SOON. AND TELL ME ABOUT IT. And sadly, I cannot buy you a plane ticket, because I am a poor unfortunate music student, BUT IF I WIN THE LOTTERY I WILL. Can you help me win the lottery then?
We just got some of your music (the flying pigs songs and the cats songs for VIOLIN) in the music store here. AND I’VE BEEN STALKING YOU ON YOUTUBE FOR AGES. since i was born, in fact, about 510 years ago. I LOVE YOU. you are by far my favourite violinist ever. well, i do love paganini too, but he is more like a god than a violinist, so it doesn’t count.
you make me smile so much. you do this the best. so thank you.
and PLEASE KEEP BEING FUNNY.
and please can you TRY to put subtitles on the cyber conductor DVD, because then I WILL BUY IT.
HAVE I MENTIONED THAT I LOVE YOU.
i promise you won’t need a restraining order if you come to Canada though. truly.
BUT IF YOU SIGN MY VIOLIN CASE YOU WILL BE MY HERO FOREVER. PLEASE SIGN MY VIOLIN CASE.
THANK YOU.
Also, I feel like you may want to name your violin Plunserafinler.
It’s an entirely valid name. Trust me.
Thank you AGAIN!
Danke.
Merci.
Grazie.
Ooh, QUESTION: How many languages do you know?
Thanks. Okay, I will attempt to halt the typing now.
KEEP PLAYING FUNNY MUSIC!
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Well, certainly noone can deny that you have enthusiasm!
Thanks for your very sweet message Yvaine. Of course I will sign your violin case.
And Plunerafinler is an abslutely appropriate name for a violin, so I will concider it.
I speak aproximately 457 languages and thats before breakfast.
I do not speak English on the 30. of february.
thats all….
Скоро Вы приедете в СПБ… Я ужасно рада!!! Время летит оооочень быстро:)))
А над чем Вы сейчас работаете???
Лиза
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at the moment i am writing a lot of new music, editing a movie i directed about julian rachlins festival in dubrovnik, working on new ideas and music for igudesman & joo and learning to tapdance. see you soon in st petersburg!
What a great blog. I spend hours on the cyberspace reading blogs, about tons of various themes. I have to first of all give praise to whoever created your theme and intermediate of all to you for writing what i can only describe as an unbelievable post. I honestly consider there is a ability to writing articles that only very few posses and frankly you have it. The combination of educative and upper-class content is by all odds super infrequent with the astronomic amount of blogs on the internet.
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Well Eboni, what can I say. My response to you is Ivory. Okay, you must have heard jokes like that a zillion times but I simply cant leave out a punchline. Do you ever have the impulse to make puns however silly rude or inapropriate they are? I think this desease is spreading – its a real “epandemic” hahaha, get it? haha! Sorry…
Anyway, I am glad you appreciate all this, keep reading, but dont forget to check out some Sheakespeare – thats who I owe everything too. And hi sisters.
Hi, Aleksey! I was watching a DVD last night of the “Lost in Austen” program (2008). There was an “orchestra” playing for a dance, and I heard distinct pseudo-paraCeltic fiddling going on. I watched closely to see the fiddler, and only caught a quick glimpse, but I was almost positive that was you. Was it indeed? Or was I only hallucinating?
PLEASE come to the states soon!
All the best,
Amy
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Dear Amy,
Unfortunately you were indeed hallucinating, but it must have been a nice hallucination!
Anyhow, I will be in the U.S. a lot starting from next march – the tour-dates will be announced soon, so not to worry.
All the best,
Aleksey
Hey.. It’s me Tan (sort of), as I said before, my name is Tanaeya. But anyway, what music school do you suggest a violinist should go to after high school?
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I would alsways recomend the school with the best violin teacher. other subject may be important too, but if you want to play “professionally” you need a great teacher. listen around, sit in on lessons and then play to the teacher of your liking – if you have the money take a couple of private lessons first from him/her – that way he/she knows you are serious and you have a better chance of getting into that school and their class. if you are a complete genious already than they will take in in any case, i guess
Дорогой Алексей,
всё, что я когда-либо слышала Вашего сочинения или в Вашем исполнении – совершенно чудесно ! Весь Ваш спектакаль Little Nightmare Music, спектакль с Гидоном Кремером, Strauss versus Cage (гениально !) и Pig Flu Polka ! Собственно, мой вопрос касается последнего произведения – как бы можно было раздобыть где-нибудь эти ноты ? Или совсем нельзя ?
Спасибо заранее (если нет, не обижусь
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Hi shenia! Thanks for your lovely comments (for those who dont speak russian, she thinks I am pretty cool, i guess…)
unfortunately my “pig flu” polka (actually its called winterpolka) is not available on sheet music.
but i have published a lot on universal edition – please check it out on their website:
http://www.universaledition.com/Aleksey-Igudesman/komponisten-und-werke/komponist/3848/werkliste#page=0
Hello Aleksey, it’s a pleasure to have the possibility of writing to you. I am uruguayan and it took very much my attention your composition “Uruguay”. Of course I enjoyed it a lot. The content of your composition is very strong (“Uruguay es el mejor pais de todo el mundo”), so I supose you must know Uruguay very well. That brought me couriosity about which places of Uruguay have you visited.
Yours sincerely,
Mario from Uruguay
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Thanks for the compliments Mario! Actually I have been to Uruguay a few times – I wrote it especially for some performances I did there the 2nd time I went and the people loved it there, which was nice! I am aware, by the way that it is not in the style of Tango, which is a traditional dance from there and, but I did not intend for it to be authentic, I just wanted it to sound quite exotic…
In Uruguay, I have been all over, from Montevideo, to Punta del Este, from Paysandu to Salto – I loved Colonia, by the way – one of the most romantic places in the world!
I hop to return some day…
Hey Aleksey,
Just got the DVD of the Cyber Conductor~
I just wonder is there a version that got english subtitles in it cause I don’t really understand German^_^;
Although it’s still fun to watch your performance but I would like to understand what you are talking about~
I saw the video at youtube which has english subtitles in it so I thought the DVD would be the same~0_0
Anyway, I would like to see more of your performances so please make more of them in DVDs~
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unfortunately there are no subtitles to the DVD of the cyberconductor, sorry…
working on getting more DVDs!
A violin accompanied by an elephant is a pretty good metaphor for the Sherlock Holmes theme. Did the elephant show any signs of responding to the music coming from above it?
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Well, it called his lawyer and demanded psychological treatment afterwards, but otherwise it seemed to enjoy it…
At Rathausplatz and after Mahler 6th Symphony, I could enjoy for the first , certailnly not the last, time your Little Nighmere music : wow. chapeau !
couldnt stop laugh -crying, at the same time as enjoying the high quality auditive experience.
Hope you will perform this prog. in Vienn, sometime.
In Bewunderung,
Jaleh
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well, thanks, we were there enjoying it with you quitely in the background drinking wine, since Vienna is our home town…
tem previsao de vir ao brasil … espero uma reposta obrigado ?
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oh I would love to come to Brasil! well you buy me a flight ticket
?
Do you use special stand-in stunt bows for showering with, launching to great height and sending up vacuum cleaner pipes?
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Yes, I use Geoffrey Peccate’s bows made entirely out of sugar and banana skin. He is the youngest sister of Dominique, Charles and Francoise and also had a bicycle repair shop in Devon.
Oh, wow! That must explain why your violin is nicknamed the “Banana split Santo Serafin”.
To fawn for a moment: your musicianship is marvellous and you have an undoubted comedic talent – a sort of Fritz Kreisler but with a sense of humour, and without the traffic accidents and excessive vibrato.
Actually, my violins full name is spelt “Banana split Santo Serafin Throatwobbler Mangrove” but pronounced “Jane Dandruft”. Sorry, that was a weird comment, but I couldnt help myself.
Found you on youtube.
)
You are weird.
But in a very fantastic way.
Like it. (Weitermachen
Need more stuff.
Greetings form Germany
Maike
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Thanks. You are weird too for liking it.
Come to a live gig in Mainz – 28. or 29. of August!
Aleksey
You’re a great musician, but I hope that Mr. Joo doesn’t mind his name being second, even though it would sound different if it were “Joo and Igudesman”. Or what about “Hyung-ki and Aleksey?
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How about Hung-sey and Alek-ki? Or Ijoodesman and Gu?
What is the cause of great musicians?
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The cause of great musicians is to “be”. Why? “Because”.
When will you write a book?
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Wednesday.
Another great read! Thanks! I’m always looking out for your next blog, they seem to get better and better
thankyou!
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well, except for this one, which is boring. i will write nothing interesting here. escept for this perhaps: jahkhudaiuds989kjnkw. ok, thats not interesting, thats just weird. sorry.
Hello Aleksey,
I really love your videos on Youtube and I really hope that you´ll come to Germany at some time!
In school I played for an exam your “Applemania”. I tried to interprete it the way I thougt it was ment to be played. But I really liked to listen to the piece played by you! Don´t you want to film it and upload it at youtube or something? I could play my version and film it and upload it, too;)
I hope that I can listen to it!
And I hope that I´ll be able to hear you live on stage!
Dave
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hmmm that a nice idea. would love to hear your version of it on youtube! please do upload it and i will deffinitely give you feedback.
Hello again! I didn’t mean any harm when I found that you and Mr. Joo sometimes swear; it’s just that when children here in America admire you greatly, and they and I aspire to be like you, with an exception of the awkward words… Maybe this will make sense.
P.S. My favorite act is the one with Piazzolla’s “Libertango”.
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Well, actually I swear, that I never swear in concert. Is that good enough?:)
The road movies are a bit naughty, but you know, thats the way we are.
Glad you like “Ave Astor” – its a lot of fun to play… we are actually coming up with a few new variations of it, which you might be able to see soon…
Hi, Mr. Igudesman. Well I found that you swore a bit in your road movies and so did Mr. Joo, but other than that, you guys are still incredible. Please come to the Gallo Center for the Arts; the building looks like it was transported from Greece. Anyway, your violin-playing is still awesome; it’s certainly nothing I’ve seen. But I still find it hard to riverdance and play the violin at the same time.
Cheers.
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Hi Aleksey, i remember your stay in uruguay, i was the cameraman of the tour taht works with the director from ORF . i remember i filmed all concerts of the tour, im intrested in post your video of uruguay Theme in our site canaluruguay .com, i send you my best wishes and wait for your autorization and reply .. also i send best wishes to Gundi and others members of the orchestra.
chers !!!
Pablo from Uruguay.
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Hi Pablo, nice to hear from you!
If you mean the one that is on youtube, it would be a pleasure if you post it on your sight!
all the best,
aleksey
I think you are a great violinist! But please, cut the cursing! Please come to the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA. It’s a rather large revenue with great sounding walls. From the words of a 14 year-old violinist, I say a job well-done, but just cut the swearing please. I’d bet you’d have a lot more fans if you did.
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Dear Tanaeya,
First of all thanks for teh compliments… but when on earth did you hear me cursing? I never curse in concerts! Hmmm…. are you sure you are contacting the right Aleksey? Anyway, piece, happiness and lots of practice to you!
Hey, it’s me again
Something REALLY weird has happend…
Last weekend i watched “pig flu polka” on youtube and
I suppose this might be the reason why i have flue since last sunday.
Well, thanks and congratulation on your.. success(?)!
Hopefully nobody else got sick after watching this video
viola
ps:i’m glad that you’re planning to come to germany soon!
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I am sorry, about the flu thing… it will pass, dont you worry – am doing it again in a couple of days in Lucerne!
Hi!!
My friends and I are big fans of your videos, especially of the ‘Cyber Conductor’ ones.
We suggested some of these ideas to our director, and we did some things to the music we were playing, and that made our practices much more entertaining
Please, come at some time to Spain!!! I would love to see one of your peformances live ^^
Congratulations, and continue doing more of this stuff!!
Helena, horn
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Hola Helena,
Is “horn” your last name, your instrument or your emotional state?
Quiero ir a Espana muchissimo – me encanta esta pais!
Anyway, it looks like I will be there in November with Igudesman & Joo, but I am sure to return several times within the next years,
You wish it was my last name XD
Well, i’m really glad to know you’re coming, if you know to which part of Spain, will you tell me? I’m really looking forward to it ^^
I found you on YouTube last year. I was serching my Japanese piano & violin duo freind’s (you met them after the concert in Osaka last Nov) live on YouTube and end up your “big hands” performance!!!
Instantly I love it and following you everywhere on NET then!
I’m liveing in Australia and very hard to travel at the moment, sooooo, I’m glad you open the door for fans to know more about you.
This is great,Congratulations.
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thanks a lot!
you can see a lot mor videos of IGUDESMAN & JOO on our joint homepage:
http://www.igudesmanandjoo.com
Briljant, just great, I like your website, but more i like you music and the shows on youtube, just fantastic
peter
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well thank you peter. hope to see you in a concert some time.
Hallo aus München!!
Gibt es eine Notenausgabe von “Mozart-Bond” bzw. “Alla Molto Turca”???
Ich finde leider nichts.
Wäre aber toll…
Viele Grüße
Annette Böhm