Heather Kurzbauer donated
7 bows to the foundation
'The sound of a violin captivated me when my parents took me to a Cleveland Orchestra concert at a young age. We sat in the front row, the cheapest tickets, and all I could see were the polished shoes of the first violinists. But what a sound!'
‘After studying political science and art history at Yale University, I was invited to the Juilliard School of Music. I was invited to participate in the Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi in Italy. From there, I explored Europe, ended up in Amsterdam, and after playing with a few other orchestras, I became first violinist with what was then the Radio Chamber Orchestra.
For a violinist, a good bow is everything. A bow creates the sound and sets the tone. A good bow leads the way. A bow is also very personal; it is therefore a serious quest to find the perfect match. The more you practice, the more you discover what suits you specifically as a violinist. That's why it's crucial to try out several bows. When I first started with the Radio Chamber Orchestra, I acquired several bows. We also lent each other bows, and sometimes we even bought them from each other. So, I've collected a few, but I never used many of them. It's a real shame, of course, because they're meant to be played with!’
‘“The idea of other musiciansplaying with my bows is trulyfabulous!”’
‘When I heard that The Netherlands Musical Instruments Foundation is always in need of good bows, I didn't hesitate. I was familiar with the foundation via my work at The Strad Magazine, and many of my musician friends have instruments on loan from the foundation. The idea that other musicians will soon be playing with my bows is truly fabulous!’