Israeli violin virtuoso Hadar Rimon and pianist Natasha Tadsonare on a concert tour of India. Music lovers in Goa have the unique opportunity to hear this mother-daughter duo of Natasha Tadson and Hadar Rimon on January 23 at 6.30 p.m. at Kala Academy. In this exclusive interview for NT BUZZ, Hadar Rimon discusses her life and career with Dr Luis Dias

Welcome to India, Ms Rimon!

Thank you!  We are very excited and looking forward to our concerts in India.

You've been playing the violin most of your life. How did you choose your instrument at such a young age? Were you tempted to play piano, like your mother?

I started playing the violin when I was 5 years old. My mother's classmate from the Gnesin School of Music in Moscow immigrated to Israel, and while she was looking for a permanent violin teaching position in Tel-Aviv, she offered to start teaching me violin. My mother agreed mostly because she thought I would help my new teacher to learn Hebrew faster, but as a result, I speak fluent Russian, and also play the violin! I knew I wanted to be a violinist from the beginning!

You've studied at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv, of which Maestro Zubin Mehta is co-founder. Have you ever had the opportunity to meet with him?

Yes! The first time I met him was at the corridor of the Buchmann-Mehta School. To my astonishment he walked up to me and called me "little Natasha". I have no idea how, but he recognised me since he knew my mother from a very early age, and heard her many times during her career. Later, during my studies at the Buchmann-Mehta School, I have had the privilege to play in the school's orchestra, which often plays under the baton of Maestro Mehta. I think the most unforgettable and moving experience for me was our orchestra concert at the United Nations in New-York for the International Holocaust Day, where Maestro Mehta conducted the Beethoven Fifth Symphony.

How many hours of practice do you put in daily?

It changes depending on the situation. But I think around 6 hours. In extreme situations it could go up to 10 hours as well.

You're young, yet have already performed as soloist with respected ensembles such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Was it a daunting experience?

I was twenty years old when I played with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. I played one of the solo parts in the Vivaldi Concerto for 4 Violins. It was a dream come true, to play with this orchestra at the Mann Auditorium. I was very nervous, but I played with two of the principal violinists from the orchestra, and they were very nice and reassuring, so it was lovely.

At all concert recitals, you are accompanied by your mother, Natasha Tadson, who is a pianist. What is that like? Does the mother-daughter connection sometimes get in the way when you rehearse or perform?

I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to play with such an amazing musician (my mother), from the beginning and until today. We are like one person in music, we feel each other and respect each other while working and playing together. I adore playing with my mother, and always feel a strong connection between us while practising and performing. 

What advice do you have for young children, teenagers, adolescents studying the violin, or music in general?

My advice is to find the best and right teacher for you, the one who will teach you everything you need to know from the basic technique to the highest level of music-making, but at the same time will let your individual qualities to shine through. And of course, practise as much as possible.

(Donation passes available at Furtados Music)