Violin rookie born in the 2000s, Yoshino Yoshimoto, appears at the Summer Music Festival: Shanghai Helps Me Realize My Dreams as a Conductor | Shanghai | Music Festival
On the evening of July 14th, 20-year-old violin newcomer Yoshimoto Rino stepped onto the stage of the Shanghai Summer Music Festival and collaborated with conductor David Stern's Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to bring Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major.
Jiben Li is an award-winning participant in the 3rd Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition and also the youngest participant to date in the competition. She is young and small, but she unleashes astonishing power on stage. Before the competition, Yoshimoto Rino's greatest wish was to win the competition and have the opportunity to collaborate with the band and perform in China. Now, her dream has come true.
The third Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition is held online, so this is the first time that Yoshimoto Rino has come to China and also the first time he has met the chairman of the competition jury, David Stern. At the rehearsal, David Stern praised Yoshimoto Rino's performance greatly. "She listens to the musicians around her and converses with the band members in a joyful way, proposing unique ideas. She is an imaginative person who enjoys music and has a very powerful 'means' to create music. I believe that in the coming years, people will increasingly hear her name."
Yoshimoto Rino grew up with her grandparents from a young age and went to Vienna to study at the age of 14. Her grandmother also passed away that year. Her mother accompanied her to Vienna, while her father stayed in Japan to take care of her younger brother with Down syndrome. The life of traveling between two places has brought great challenges to her family, and the small Yoshimoto Rino also faces many difficulties.
Firstly, there is a language issue. In Japan, she once learned a little German, but only knew simple vocabulary such as numbers and colors. When I first arrived in Germany, I was too young to attend language schools, and private education was expensive, causing a significant financial burden on my family. Yoshimoto could only grit her teeth and attend violin classes, adapting bit by bit from not understanding, and ultimately overcoming the language barrier. "I am now very confident in communicating in German, just like during this rehearsal with Mr. Stern, when he asked me whether to use German or English? I said, it's okay! We'll communicate in German."
Another challenge is adapting to cultural differences. Yoshimoto Rino said that in Japan, everyone was very polite and introverted, never saying "no" to their teachers. But in Germany, when communicating with the professor, she learned to say "no, I don't agree with your point of view" and clearly state her own viewpoint. "My personality has really undergone significant changes, becoming more free and giving me a feeling of 'liberating nature'. I am short, while Europeans are generally tall and have things placed on high shelves, and I have to work hard to get them. I have learned to seek help and to bravely express my true intentions."
In Vienna, Yoshinori is immersed in a strong classical music atmosphere. "Walking on the street, you can hear street performers playing Mozart, and you will immerse yourself in it, feeling very comfortable."
Currently, Yoshimoto is studying under violinist Augustine Dume. She said she became a fan of Doume at the age of 9, and her first CD collection was a trio composed of Doume, cellist Wang Jian, and Portuguese pianist Maria Pires. "The first time I attended Professor Du Mei's class, I was greatly shocked. His music was very magical and he always gave me direct guidance. When he listened to me play, with just a slight touch, my music would immediately change. I don't know what he did, but the change happened miraculously. Additionally, Professor Du Mei is very considerate. When I go to his house for classes, he even prepares sushi for me."
Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin is committed to paving the way for players' careers. As a judge of the third competition, Wang Jian is very concerned about Yoshimoto Rino's future career development. "Although they are different string instruments, their musicality and technique are common. Almost every performer gets nervous before going on stage. Teacher Wang Jian told me how to relax before the official performance, which gave me more confidence."
In the future, Yoshimoto Ri hopes to become a soloist like Du Mei and Wang Jian, holding concerts around the world. "When I stand on stage, I really enjoy the joy of solo and hope to share my music with different people."
