Page 483 - Guildhall School Coverage Book 2020/21

13 August 2020

Playing & Teaching
Sentimental Work: Tasmin Little

The Brahms Violin Concerto has been at the heart of several of the British violinist’s most
memorable performances

Tasmin Little: ’The Brahms Concerto has always felt ”right” to me since I was a girl’ © Andrew
Rankin

Violinists are so lucky to have so much incredible repertoire. I play more than 60 concertos, but I
always come back to the Brahms, which has always felt ‘right’ to me since I was a girl. There are
moments such as the end of the first movement where, having made it through the cadenza, you
emerge as if into a beautiful sunset at the end of a long and difficult day. Then the second
movement has a lovely opening that allows you just to revel in the music. There’s so much in it, for
both the soloist and the orchestra, that it would be impossible for me to feel there’s nothing more
to discover about it.

I started learning the concerto when I was 19 and studying at the Guildhall School of Music &
Drama. Final-year students have a chance to compete for the Gold Medal each year, so when my
time came I decided the Brahms would be my piece for the final. I can still remember the opening,
which is always hair-raising – you wait for ages for your first entry, and when it comes it’s the most