Virtuosity!
There are people out there that are so good at what they do that one cannot help but see them as masters of their technical craft. Another word to describe these people is virtuoso.
People can exemplify virtuosity in many different things: sports, dance, painting, learning different languages and even playing music.
When it comes to being a virtuoso in playing music I’m talking about someone who has dedicated their life to mastering an instrument, and because they do so, develop skills that make their instrument of choice feel like an extension of their being.
Throughout history and today, there have been many musicians possessing tremendous talent. Below are just a few musical virtuosos from history as well as the present.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756 – December 5, 1791)
Without a doubt many people have heard stories of Mozart being a child prodigy. It’s like a legend to believe that such a young person could be such a prolific virtuoso when it came to playing piano and composing music.
Many of the most well-known classical songs were composed by none other than Mozart at a young age. That speaks to his musical understanding and gift.
Examples of virtuosity include: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 & Piano Sonata No. 16
Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811 – July 13, 1886)
Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso from the Romantic Era.
When my late friend first introduced me to Franz Liszt he prefaced by saying that he [Liszt] was the first rockstar in music history. Liszt would travel all across Europe to play concerts and showcase his technical abilities. People would go mad listening to Franz Liszt and many wished that their children would learn to play like him.
Examples of virtuosity include: Piano Concerto No. 1 & No. 2; Hungarian Rhapsody
Frédéric François Chopin (March 1, 1810 – October 17, 1849)
Frédéric Chopin was a Polish composer and piano virtuoso from the Romantic Era. Similar to Franz Liszt, he was very popular during his time as well as influential. Liszt always appreciated Chopin’s simplicity and control. Nowadays, Chopin’s music is considered amongst some of the most classic of classical compositions.
Examples of virtuosity include: Piano Concerto No. 2 & Etudes, Op. 10: No. 5 in G-Flat Major
John Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967)
John Coltrane was an American jazz musician and virtuoso saxophone player. He was a pioneer of the jazz subgenres of bebop and hard bop, which are both played insanely fast. Coltrane had a natural ability to be able to improvise long sections on tracks as well as make sounds come out of his saxophone that has many people scratching their heads.
Coltrane also played alongside other great musicians including Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk.
Carlos Santana once said in an interview that “The contribution of master musician John Coltrane is to the level of Einstein. He created a quantum leap in the frequency of sound rhythm vibrations. It helps accelerate the listener’s unfoldment. His music has so much light; it’s illuminating.”
Examples of virtuosity include: “My Favorite Things” & “A Love Supreme”
Jacqueline du Pré (January 26, 1945 – October 19, 1987)
Although du Pré had a relatively short and tragic career due to multiple sclerosis, her impact was prominent as she is sometimes referred to as one of the greatest cello players of all time. What made du Pré stand out was the emotion she was able to send across with her playing.
Tommy Emmanuel (May 31, 1955 – Present)
William Thomas Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist regarded as one of the best acoustic guitarists of all time. Not only does Tommy use complex fingering and strumming techniques, he also uses his guitar like a percussion instrument, creating sounds not typically heard coming from an acoustic guitar.
Examples of virtuosity include: “Classical Gas” & “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
Jake Shimabukuro (November 3, 1976 – Present)
Jake Shimabukuro is a ukulele virtuoso from Hawaii who is known for playing fast and covering songs while adding a lot of complexity to them. Similar to Tommy Emmanuel, he uses a lot different fingering and strumming techniques. Shimabukuro’s main instrument is the tenor ukulele and when he plays it it’s surprising how versatile the ukulele is.
Examples of virtuosity include: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” & “Dragon”
Leo Pellegrino (June 3, 1991 – Present)
Leo P was born in Pittsburg, PA but is based in New York City. He is known for fusing many genres of music on his baritone sax. He is able to mix jazz, electronic, ska, and other genres while performing. Leo P also makes weird sounds on his sax, for example he can make it sound like a didgeridoo. His funky style easily comes across in his music.
Examples of virtuosity include: “Rapid Fire” & “Bedford”
Final Thoughts
These are just a few musicians that I have chosen to present but there are many more out there, famous or not, who are masters at their instruments. A virtuoso is anybody who is regarded by many people (including experts) as being highly skilled in what they do. When virtuosos play they shock those who listen. You can tell that they possess a skill that not many people have.
Do you have any comments on who you believe is a virtuoso?