Relections On The Irina Kulikova Master Class Oct. 2013, Waterloo Ontario

IMG_2941IMG_2947

I have held off writing this reflection because I was a bit hesitant to share my opinion but  Irina Kulikova presented something to us that was quite brilliant!  It was her tone and approach to phrasing that astonished me and I think we can all learn so much from her!

Let me explain in detail….

Irina began playing guitar at the tender age of five.  She had a great guitar teacher that must have inspired her in many ways.  But according to Irina, she always wanted to play the violin and at that young age was sometimes convinced  her guitar was just a big violin!

Most notably though, her mom was a fine cellist and I am wondering to myself if those cello lines she  heard have played a major impact on her musicianship.  I just couldn’t help but think  her tone and phrasing were sounding like she was using a bow!  Especially when she was playing Bach.

So it is in my humble opinion that we are going to hear a lot more about Irina in the future as her musicianship is going to have a  major impact on the classical guitar world.

I was fortunate enough to watch her performance and throughout the master class she demonstrated the warmest and thickest tone I have ever heard.  But it was more than that and I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was.  So I have come to the conclusion that she is hearing, in her head, the exact tone she wants to hear.  And what she is hearing is a direct result of everything she heard as a child growing up listening to her mom play the cello everyday.  That would be a major influence on a guitarist and now Irina is sharing her musicality around the world.  Listeners in Europe have caught on to her greatness and I hope by writing this post her popularity and influence will spread in North America as well!

Stephen Zurakowsky

Artistic Director

IMG_2944IMG_2938

Posted in: THE K/W GUITAR SOCIETY

Tagged as:

Stephen Zurakowsky Classical Guitarist's avatar

Stephen Zurakowsky Classical Guitarist

Stephen Zurakowsky(www.anumi.ca) is a graduate from The University of Toronto. He has studied with Norbert Kraft, Eli Kasner, David Russell, Stepan Rak and Phil Nimmons. Recently he has been awarded an International CD Distribution grant from The SOCAN Foundation, which will oversee the airplay of "Four Trees In Winter" in 135 radio markets worldwide. Stephen has enjoyed substantial support from the Ukrainian arts community across Canada, having been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and radio programs. He performs chamber concerts as a soloist and has written works for electric classical guitar and choir. A Zurakowsky concert encompasses a sense of deep passion, as you feel invited to experience his love for composing and how his Ukrainian heritage has an influence on his creativity. His music has been featured on Canada's CBC and was reviewed in Toronto's The Wholenote Magazine as a favourable pick amongst classical independents.

1 thought on “Relections On The Irina Kulikova Master Class Oct. 2013, Waterloo Ontario” Leave a comment ›

  1. A little late to the party, but I’ve listened to some side-by-side recordings of Gallardo’s “California Suite” today with Irina and another talented player. You are spot-on…Irina’s lyricism and melodic lines are much more like a violin or cello–and so much more effective. Her sense and use of rubato is super! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

    Reply

Leave a reply to Bill SchulzCancel Reply