The German violinist on her influences and navigating today’s challenges

Julia Fischer

TOP PHOTO SUE YANG

I joined the class of Ana Chumachenco when I was nine years old. And what I believe she gave me during my time with her has changed over the years. For a long time I saw her as teaching me very good technique and being fantastic with style and interpretation. But I now realise the most amazing thing about her was how it was always about the music. When I came to lessons and played, whether she was satisfied or not, she never screamed at me. She never doubted that I did my best and I had the feeling she respected me. I think this is why I never developed stage fright – because, at the end of the day if you mess up a passage, so what? When you’re in this profession and need to go in front of 2,000 people every night, you have to feel you’re worthy of standing there. She gave all of her students that feeling. I have students coming to me today who have been absolutely destroyed by past teachers, and it doesn’t have to be that way.