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Indo-American part of New York Philharmonic
An avid chamber musician, Vivek Kamath has performed with New York Philharmonic Chamber Ensembles.
It is not every day that an Indian American gets chosen to be part of the prestigious New York Philharmonic (NYP). Vivek Kamath, 31, is that rarity.
A violist with a degree in music, Kamath is a 10-year veteran of the NYP. He studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 1997, he was a prize winner in the Washington International String Competition as well as the Irving Klein International String Competition.
An avid chamber musician, he has performed with the New York Philharmonic Chamber Ensembles, Bargemusic, as well as at the Marlboro, Bridgehampton and Sarasota festivals among others. Excerpts from an IANS interview with Kamath:
As a choice of careers goes for Indian Americans, you have defied the stereotypes completely. How did you manage to do that?
I played the violin as a child. It was one of many hobbies for me. But I always loved it and took it more seriously than anything else. When I was in high school I decided I wanted to be a musician, my parents were supportive but also warned me that it was a tough field.
Describe to us the process of the instrument that you eventually did choose?
When I was six years old I began violin lessons. I had heard a girl I took swimming classes with play the violin and wanted to play too. I also started playing the viola while in college in Cleveland. I liked playing the viola more than playing the violin and decided to go to Juilliard for my master's degree as a viola major. I love the sound of the viola, it's warmer, deeper and richer than the violin and has a very beautiful sombre quality.
What did you grow up listening to?
I mostly listened to pieces for the violin when I was a kid. I also heard my sister practising piano every day. I only had a brief interest in rock music and don't really follow that scene. Nowadays, I listen to most classical music, including chamber music, orchestral music, and I love listening to pianists play.
How much are you exposed to Indian classical music?
I haven't been exposed to it that much. I would like to learn more about it.
Tell us about your involvement with the New York Philharmonic. Give us some idea about what it takes to make it there.
I have been playing in the New York Philharmonic for the past seven years. The audition to get into the orchestra is quite competitive since many, many people are all auditioning for one position, there is no second prize. I worked extremely hard for this audition and was so happy when they chose me. Certainly one must play well, but in the end there is a bit of luck involved too, because a choice must be made from the small group of most qualified musicians.
Chamber music is more about collective harmony than individual distinction inasmuch as it means that the individual is not expected to dominate the ensemble. How tough is that?
Chamber music is something that almost all classical musicians participate in regularly. Blending into the group is just one part of it; a good chamber musician must also play like a soloist during certain passages, imitate other members of the group at times, and provide support and life to the other voices.
Do you ever contemplate becoming a soloist?
I think that every musician has wanted to be a soloist at some point. Children who play the violin want to be like Itzhak Perlman, cellists want to be like Yoyo Ma, and so on. A healthy person realises at some point when they are young whether they are a super talent like Perlman or Ma or not. The vast majority of people are not, of course.
How tough is it to make a professional career as a musician?
It's quite difficult. I feel lucky to be where I am. I know many musicians who struggle or even give up and move on to something else. It's especially tough if you don't have a steady job, such as an orchestra position or university teaching position. Being in the right place at the right time, who you know, who likes you, and things like that can often be just as important as how well you play.
Do you personally like composing or do you prefer performing what is already written?
I don't have any experience with composing. I enjoy working with composers on new music. I don't think I would want to be a composer though.
What are your personal influences?
My biggest influence was my teacher in Cleveland, Donald Weilerstein. I left his class almost 10 years ago but I still think about his teachings and ideas every time I play. I've also learned a lot from listening to many great artists including Oistrakh, Heifetz, Milstein, Casals, Szigeti, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Guarneri Quartet, and Murray Perahia. I could probably think of a hundred more names for people who have influenced me. My colleagues in the New York Philharmonic have also taught me a lot over the past few years.
