Glitz, Celebrity & Sex Appeal in Classical Music

Written by: Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins

One of my musical heroes, Gidon Kremer, recently cancelled out of playing in the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. In a, public letter to the director Mr. Kremer decries a classical music world "in which 'stars' count more than creativity, ratings more than genuine talent, numbers more than...sounds." He also points out a "misguided fixation with glamour and sex appeal."

Anne-Sophie Mutter, Superb Violinist in a Strapless Gown

Written by:  Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins 
and Angela Newgren


 Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of the premier violinists of our time. Born in Rheinbelden, Germany in 1963, Mutter started performing in her early teen years, when she was asked by conductor Herbert Von Karajan to play with the Berlin Philharmonic at age 13.

Anne-Sophie Mutter

Starting off her stage career at such a young age did her well. From then to now she has taught, recorded albums, conducted, and performed worldwide.

She picked up some no-big-deal awards on the way, too;