IDA HAENDEL TALKS ABOUT SECURITY IN PERFORMANCE

“If I wasn’t secure when I picked up the violin, that I know I can play the violin quite well, and I know what I am about to do on that violin, consulting the composer and the score in front of me, I wouldn’t do it. Yes, I am secure; otherwise I wouldn’t lure myself by playing and not being secure. I don’t believe in it. It’s really true, I’ve heard some musicians, specifically violinists, when it really sounded very insecure – and I am not comfortable with that. If you don’t know the piece, if you aren’t master of your instrument, don’t do it.”