News
2.12.2008
Violinist Takes Title at Competition
At a recent Midday Music concert, a rapt audience listened as violinist Taylor Lee '09, accompanied by piano faculty member Larissa Korkina, tore through the virtuosic "Ziegeunerweisen" by Pablo de Sarasate. When Lee finished, cheers and whistles accompanied the applause. Lawrentians in the audience knew they were witnessing something special.
Lee recently won first place in the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra's Concerto Competition, playing that same piece. This was his fourth competition — in the past four years, Lee has twice won second place.
"It's never easy to be in a competition for me," Lee says. "This one was really kind of difficult. But getting first place is great."
Lee started playing violin at age six. He currently studies with William Law, and also takes piano lessons with Larissa Korkina. By sixth grade, he was active in his school orchestra, and soon became a member of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey and the Regional Orchestra of Central Jersey. He is currently a member of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, where he also plays in a chamber music group.
"I like that, because it's a different repertory," Lee says. "Playing with the orchestra, which has a lot of sound, is fun. But there are intricacies you get in chamber music that are very satisfying."
While technically challenging, Lee enjoys playing the work by Sarasate that he tackled in the competition. "It's a fun piece for me," he says. "Technically, it's pretty difficult. It took me a while to get it right. It's a showpiece, and that's hard. Sarasate is fun, though. I like playing Tchaikovsky as well."
Is a musical career in Lee's future?
"That's under debate," he says. "In college I'll major either in music or engineering. But either way, I know it is something I definitely want to continue in the future. I'll keep playing."
For additional information on all Lawrenceville School news, please contact Lisa Gillard Hanson, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.
Lee recently won first place in the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra's Concerto Competition, playing that same piece. This was his fourth competition — in the past four years, Lee has twice won second place.
"It's never easy to be in a competition for me," Lee says. "This one was really kind of difficult. But getting first place is great."
Lee started playing violin at age six. He currently studies with William Law, and also takes piano lessons with Larissa Korkina. By sixth grade, he was active in his school orchestra, and soon became a member of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey and the Regional Orchestra of Central Jersey. He is currently a member of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, where he also plays in a chamber music group.
"I like that, because it's a different repertory," Lee says. "Playing with the orchestra, which has a lot of sound, is fun. But there are intricacies you get in chamber music that are very satisfying."
While technically challenging, Lee enjoys playing the work by Sarasate that he tackled in the competition. "It's a fun piece for me," he says. "Technically, it's pretty difficult. It took me a while to get it right. It's a showpiece, and that's hard. Sarasate is fun, though. I like playing Tchaikovsky as well."
Is a musical career in Lee's future?
"That's under debate," he says. "In college I'll major either in music or engineering. But either way, I know it is something I definitely want to continue in the future. I'll keep playing."
For additional information on all Lawrenceville School news, please contact Lisa Gillard Hanson, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.