One of the most interesting but somewhat underexposed parts of the Academy Awards ceremony is the thank-you speeches. It’s a rare chance to get a look into the lives of great actors to see (in the thirty seconds before the enforced play-out) who, exactly, they credit for their success. Sometimes it’s families–that’s pretty much unavoidable–but sometimes the names on the list are unexpected. They range from publicists to stylists to childhood heroes to the guy down the block to pretty much anyone else. A fairly large component of these names, though, is that of what we might call the Formative Influence. Every person, whether a musician or an artist or just a regular Joe, has a list of people who has influenced him and shaped him on his way. Some of these influences are people in the same profession, and some of them aren’t. No matter the composition of the list, everybody has one. Starbucks even started a line of CD’s the spotlight the importance of personal influences on the artist. Yo-Yo Ma compiled one, and it ranges from the classical to Edith Piaf and beyond. John Cusack’s 2000 rock-flavored comedy “High Fidelity” spotlighted the concept of personal favorites and influences, featuring a long list of scenes in which characters boil down their favorite songs and artists to an all-time “Top 5” list.
Ever wondered who’d make your favorite musician’s Top 5 list? The LA Times recently featured an article on acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who performed the complete set of the 24 Paganini caprices in a recital in LA on December 1st. Barton Pine, who has accumulated a laudable number of classically-related awards, is also known for her work in alternative genres. Her latest album, “Caprichio Latino,” is dedicated to the music of Spanish-language composers, including Piazzolla and Albeniz. But early recordings tackle AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and a medley of Led Zeppelin songs. A violinist who has accomplished the feat of performing the full set of caprices and has classic rock in her repertoire is not easy to find, and the LA Times celebrates the unique nature of Barton Pine’s work. The article details Barton Pine’s eclectic mix of influences, which range from Northwestern University’s Almita and Roland Vamos to Guns N’ Roses. Not the expected list from a preeminent classical performing artist, to be sure. Of the Vamoses, Pine says,
They were my violin teachers from age 9 to 17, when I completed my formal training. They taught me everything I needed to know about violin technique and musical understanding and communication. They also taught me about values, reminding me to always put family first and advising me to never compromise my ethics for the sake of my career.
And what does Gun N’ Roses have to do with a career in classical music? Pine says of them,
Axl is still hands-down the most charismatic frontman I’ve ever seen, and I was inspired by the way he connected with his audience. His guitarist, Slash, could shred as well as anyone but never played any empty notes, always creating beautiful musical lines the entire time he was playing.
Influences are about more than just who taught you how to shift or which fingerings are better. The most influential people in a career or in a life are those who lend us their wisdom, humor, and outlook on life. Who’s in your top 5? Who’ve been the biggest influences on your life, your career, your art, and your path? Taking a moment to think of those who have been the most influential in our lives is a worthwhile use of a few minutes. My list includes my first cello teacher, Mara Finkelstein, my parents, Hans Jensen, and a rotating fifth member that I can’t seem to decide on. When you start a list like that, it’s hard to stop at five, and, for the purposes of an interview, five is good, but, in life and in playing, the more people you have to thank for your outlook and success, the better. Take a moment to think about your top 5 or your top 15…and let them know what they’ve done for you–Rachel Barton Pine did!
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