Lyudmila Vainer, Violin
Lyudmila Vainer received her teaching and orchestral training at the Moscow College of Music, where she studied with Maja Glezarova. She graduated from the Estonian Conservatory of Music with a soloist/orchestra principal degree.
Lyudmila's orchestral experience includes the Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian Radio and TV under Music Director Neeme Jarvi, the Opera Orchestra of New York, the Springfield Symphony in Massachusetts and the New Jersey Symphony. She has been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1992.
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The facts:
I came to New York from the USSR the day after the assassination of John Lennon. I studied in the USSR in Moscow and in Tallinn, Estonia. I joined the orchestra after a violinist I knew told me about a new orchestra in Naples. She told me the orchestra still had a very small salary, but that it was supported by a talented woman named Myra Daniels, and it had a great future.
Most memorable moment with the orchestra?
A concert with Luciano Pavarotti, Dmitry Hvorostovsky and Kiri Te Kanawa.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Father said.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
The performance. When I finally can be left alone with the music.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
I prefer to play in section of the first violins.
What are your favorite compositions?
Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), everything by Strauss, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Vivaldi, Debussy’s La mer and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé.
What have you been listening to recently?
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4.
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
Only rock musicians.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Political discussions online, boating, searching for new recipes in modern cooking, yoga and Zumba.