The World-Renowned Violinist
Described by the press in three continents as a “virtuoso” (Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania, New York Classical Review, Frankfurter Neue Presse in Germany, Time Out Magazine and The National in the UAE, Correio Braziliense in Brasil), and a “deeply gifted artist” (Ft. Lauderdale Connex in Florida). She has performed at BBC Radio 3 and her live performance of N. Paganini’s La Campanella on their radio programme In Tune was chosen as a Performing Miracle on their prestigious broadcast of the best live interpretations on Radio 3.
She started studying violin and flute when she was four years old at El Hogar de la Armonia in the City of Santiago, Dominican Republic with Professor Henry Disla. Aged eleven, Aisha made her debut performing the Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor with the Dominican Symphony Orchestra becoming the youngest ever Dominican to have performed with the orchestra. She became the first Latina to have been accepted at the child prodigy Yehudi Menuhin School in England where she also studied at the Royal College of Music with a full scholarship by the Soirée d’Or committee. She was also offered a full scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Besides becoming a household name in South America, she has performed all around the world as a soloist with orchestras and in recitals in places such as the Carnegie Hall in New York (certified sold-out at Zankel Hall by Carnegie Hall), Palau de les Arts in Spain, National Philharmonic Hall in Vilnius, Wigmore Hall in London, Mumbai Opera House in India, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Florida, the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington DC, the Clairmont Hall in Tel-Aviv, the Yehudi Menuhin Forum in Bern, Teatro Mayo in Colombia, Casa de la Música in Ecuador, Reales Alcázares in Sevilla, Spain, National Auditorium in Uruguay, CCK in Buenos Aires, National Theater of Nicaragua and National Theater of the Dominican Republic among many other halls.
This month we sit with Aisha once again after several years to know more about her recent achievements and her future plans. Enjoy the interview.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Aisha Syed and I’m a world touring classical violinist.
What’s your educational background?
When I was barely thirteen I got accepted into the classical music prodigy school Yehudi Menuhin School in London, named after the famous violinist. I became the first Latina to have been admitted there by God’s grace. For University, I received a full scholarship from two of the most prestigious music universities in the world, also located in London, the Royal College of Music (where people like Gustav Holst and Leopoldo Stokowski) and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (where the famous cellist Jacqueline Du Pré studied).
How old were you when you started playing violin? Why did you choose it? What or who influenced you?
I started when I was five because I wanted to imitate my sister who is older and then I loved it so much that even the discipline side of it was enjoyable to me.
Did you learn other instruments?
Absolutely, piano, viola and the recorder.
It‘s been a few years since we first interviewed you. Can you quickly tell us what major events and achievements happened since then?
A lot of major achievements have happened in my career by Gods grace since then. We sold out at Carnegie Hall in New York twice, Radio France and BBC Radio 3 have chosen our recordings for prestigious broadcasting, sold out debut at the Kennedy Center, the classical music giant Naxos is our new album distributor, Vogue magazine ran a story about our career, Strad Magazine chose our foundation Music for Life to tell its story, had my debut in India, Japan, South Korea, China, performed at the prestigious Palau de les Arts in Spain, Reales Alcázares in Sevilla Spain also and many many more countries, totalling 30 countries and many more cities.
How would you describe the relationship with your instrument?
I love being on stage but that is the finished product of hundreds of hours working on only one piece. When I practice it is definitely a work type relationship, but on stage is definitely so full of joy.
How would you best describe the type of music you play?
Classical Music for me is the universal type of music. It can connect humans through works that were written hundreds of years ago yet are still relevant today. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart and many more.
How do you choose the pieces you play?
It’s usually a mixture of the Maestro’s suggestions and my own. Sometimes I can choose it sometimes not. For the Latinamerican leg of the world tour I chose to play the Tchaikovsky violin concerto on all concerts but for the US and Europe the repertoire will be totally different. Bruch, Elgar, Bach and many more.
What inspires your music?
As a Christian my main inspirational source comes from Christ, after that the actual composers like Johann Sebastian Bach (who was actually a Christian too) and many more serve as inspiration for my interpretations.
What kind of violin(s) do you have?
By the grace of God, my sponsors Florian Leonhard Fine Violins have allowed me to perform on many Stradivarius in the last nine years. These are instruments worth a huge amount and are world treasures.
What do you consider to be incisive moments in your artistic work and/or career?
My Carnegie Hall performances, BBC Radio 3 choosing our interpretation for their Performing Miracles prestigious list, debuts at the Kennedy Center, Palau de les Arts in Spain, ROH in Mumbai, National Philharmonic Hall in Lithuania, my debut as an eleven year old with the National Symphony Orchestra of my home country Dominican Republic, my acceptance at the Menuhin school, the full scholarships the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama gave me, Radio France choosing our new album, and being able to use a Stradivarius by Gods grace and thanks to Florian Leonhard Fine Violins.
Who do you dream of performing with?
Definitely Zubin Mehta and Gustavo Dudamel.
Where is the coolest place you have played?
After a huge concert in Argentina the organizers took me to a steak restaurant and after I finished eating and was about to leave the entire restaurant started shouting in Spanish “Que toque! Que toque!” which means something like play! Play! and so I took my violin out and played. I loved the energy.
How does the new popularity of music streaming affect the popularity of classical music? To what extent do classical musicians need to adapt?
We have adapted but we know that classical music is the universal type of music so it will always have an audience, maybe an older audience but it will always have one.
Do you have a favorite violin piece that you like to perform? Who is your favorite composer?
I love performing the Brahms, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky violin concertos. The Chacconne by Bach is also a favorite.
What is your routine before a performance? Do you follow any superstitions or any special preparations?
I have no superstitions whatsoever. I pray a lot and I also warm up to Christian hymns like Amazing Grace to focus on what the most important thing is for me, to give God all glory and honour when I perform.
You are also the brand ambassador for the LEXUS brand. Can you explain more about it and how do you feel about the collaboration?
It’s been amazing, they have had incredible projects with me and I’m so happy to be a Lexus Brand Ambassador. Our adverts include music by Vivaldi and Ysaye which is so fantastic to see and hear on mainstream media.
How did you spend the time during the COVID pandemic?
I did a lot of violin solo recording, learned all the complete Sonatas and Partitas by J. S. Bach and recorded them but I also spent much needed time with my family. I also gave birth to my second child.
We heard you will be performing in Qatar soon. Can you tell us more about that and your message for your fans in Middle-East and Qatar in specific.
I love the Middle East, it is such a stunning region so you can imagine how elated I am to be performing in Qatar. The concert is part of my world tour and will be on October 3.
What’s next for you?
Besides my trip to Asia I am performing in Europe, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. In Geneve, I will perform a concert for the United Nations which I am very thankful and excited about.
Your message for us at CP Magazine?
Thank you for lifting culture to all your readers, congratulations on a fantastic magazine and thank you for having me again. God bless!
