Monica Germino was once, by her own admission, “probably one of the loudest violinists” in classical music, known for her huge tone, but also for playing fire-breathing electric violin. Now she’s likely the quietest musician in the field, and for good reason. Germino was recently diagnosed with hyperacusis, or extreme sensitivity to sound, and advised that if she continued to perform she ran the risk of irreparably damaging her ears.
Articles
A violinist with a sensitivity to sound will perform ‘Muted,’ a special, quieter piece for audiences in Brooklyn click for WSJ video excerpt In her decadeslong career, the violinist and contemporary-music specialist Monica Germino has worked alongside major composers, co-founded an international ensemble and performed at venues world-wide. But in recent years, her life has […]
Excerpts translated from Dutch. Read complete article here (Dutch) INTERVIEW MONICA GERMINO Violinist Monica Germino can play again, despite hearing problems, thanks to quiet pieces written especially for her The American-Dutch violinist Monica Germino, known for her electronically amplified performances of music by contemporary composers, is given […]
Red Sofa celebrates 10 years, opens 6-day festival with Monica Germino’s quiet violin (excerpts) Adventurous violinist Monica Germino enthusiastic about Red Sofa’s new music program in Rotterdam’s De Doelen Read complete article here (in Dutch) -by Joep Stapel Contemporary music has a reputation for […]
CLASSICALITE EXCLUSIVE: Monica Germino on New England Conservatory, ‘RACHE’ Murder Premiere and Why She’s Finally Ready to Play Michael Gordon’s ‘INDUSTRY’ CLASSICALITE: Right off the bat, why did you, Monica Germino, choose music, especially contemporary music, as a profession? You grew up in Virginia, studied at Yale and finished up there on Huntington Avenue at […]
New England Conservatory Alumni Profiles: an in-depth look at a few of NEC alumni and their paths beyond NEC. NEC: “…and what’s next on your schedule?” MG: “Next up: together with Marcel Wierckx and Frank van der Weij I’m finishing up a music video of my version for adapted violin of Michael Gordon’s ‘Industry’, to be released […]
“Whether she was playing the violin, electric violin, adapted violin, whispering, talking, or singing, Germino conveyed her passion with tour de force virtuosity and burning vulnerability. …Armed with a Joannes Baptista Ceruti (Cremona, 1802), on permanent loan from the Elise Mathilde Foundation, and a custom-made electric “violectra,” the Amsterdam-based American/Dutch musician played a major role…read […]
“Germino and La Giro” : interview about La Girò AN EXCHANGE WITH MONICA GERMINO “La Girò is a dramatic piece with many elements at play – storytelling, a nightmare, singing and playing, even shrieking and whispering. The piece took certain twists and turns as a direct result of a long and treasured collaboration….” click here […]
Sophistication and showmanship
Events»Classical & Opera Monica Germino and Frank van der Weij