“It was quite unusual to use the recorder as a concert instrument. But my mother, a pianist, actually helped me a lot by assuming that anything done on the piano can easily be done on the recorder! She helped me with technique and was just as critical about my playing as she was with her own. I think that has been one of my fortunes.” ThinkingHas BeensDoneUseMotherInstrumentsAssumingFortuneCriticalTechniquePianoConcertsUnusualPianistRecorders Author:Michala Petri
“To me, the advantage of the recorder is that it is so natural. I love the fact that it is just a piece of wood, that there are almost no mechanics involved.” FactsNaturalPiecesInvolvedAdvantageWoodsMechanicRecorders Author:Michala Petri
“When you play the oboe, the flute or other wind instruments, there is something between you and the breath; there is the embouchure, the reed, etc. But with the recorder, I receive an immediate response from the instrument. This is something that attracted me to the instrument, that I could immediately feel the response of what I was doing.” FeelsPlayWindBreathsInstrumentsResponseEtcReedsFlutesRecordersOboesWind Instruments Author:Michala Petri
“Of course, the recorder will never have the repertoire of the piano or the violin.” CoursesPianoViolinRecorders Author:Michala Petri
“It is not very natural to make dynamic changes with the recorder. When you play a long note and want to make a diminuendo, the pitch will fall, and vice versa. So you need to adjust these with your fingers.” WantNeedsLongPlayFallNaturalNotesFingersVicesVice VersaRecorders Author:Michala Petri
“I have always personally preferred to think of what is more difficult for my instrument, and not what is the most natural or the easiest. I enjoy the challenges - especially those that come with composers who have written contemporary music for the recorder.” ThinkingEnjoyDifficultNaturalChallengesWrittenInstrumentsContemporaryComposerRecordersContemporary Music Author:Michala Petri
“In contemporary music, the challenge for me is to make the recorder sound as naturally expressive as, for example, the violin - without doing it too much and forcing the instrument. It is very easy to be overly expressive on the recorder, and finding the balance is quite difficult.” EasyDifficultSoundChallengesToo MuchExampleBalanceFindingsInstrumentsContemporaryViolinExpressiveRecordersContemporary Music Author:Michala Petri
“Looking for inspiration in expression, I have actually always looked to singers and violinists. I have never really looked only at the recorder as a remedy for my expressions.” InspirationExpressionSingersRemedyRecordersViolinistLooking For Inspiration Author:Michala Petri
