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Meet Anne Harvey-Nagl

Anne Harvey-Nagl

Violin

AYO: 1987-88, 1990
AYO National Music Camp: 1986-88

Anne has been a member of the Koehne Quartet since 1992, founded by AYO alumnus Joanna Lewis.

Since 1995 Anne has performed regularly as a soloist with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra. From 1999 until 2011 Anne was Principal 1st violin of the Vienna Volksoper and was appointed the Concertmaster position in 2011. She has performed with numerous orchestras including the Vienna Chamber Orchestra in their 1994 series ‘Presenting Young Artists’.

Anne was the winner of the 1986 National Youth Concerto Competition and in 1990 received the ANZ International Fellowship for musical studies overseas.

Anne performed in the Australian World Orchestra’s 2015 concert series with Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE, which included a thrilling collaboration with AYO.

Q and A

Question
Answer
Can you tell us a bit about you, and what you are up to these days?
I moved to Vienna to study violin in the early 90s, and am now Concertmaster of the Volksoper Orchestra, a member of the Koehne Quartet and several other ensembles. I also teach the violin to students of all levels.
What was a highlight of your time in AYO programs?
The 1988 European tour was incredible and life changing. However all the programs I took part in were important and special in some way.
What skills, musical and otherwise, did you take away from your time at AYO?
Learning difficult repertoire in an intensive period of time as a young student was a vital tool for the professional world. The conductors and tutors were always at a top level and we learnt many skills for team-work and orchestral playing. As a fairly shy teenager, it was also socially a wonderful experience to form bonds with so many fantastic musicians and people, many of whom I am still friends with today! We had a lot of fun!
What was your favourite piece or performance during your programs?
Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.2 on the European tour, and Verdi’s Requiem.
Why do you think AYO is important to the Australian cultural landscape?
AYO programs (both the music camps and concert programs) are absolutely essential for young musicians with dreams and goals of pursuing a musical career, and reminds the general public how important music and the arts are for society.
How would you describe AYO in three words?
Brilliant, fun and world-class
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you or your time at AYO?
I simply loved it, remember every moment of my time with AYO and urge all young musicians to apply and gain this wonderful experience.
What was one of the first pieces of music to inspire you?
Beethoven‘s Spring Sonata.
What pieces would you share with people who want to discover more about orchestral music?
Beethoven’s symphonies and Mahler‘s symphonies.
Is there a piece of advice you received from a music teacher/mentor that has always stayed with you?
Never give up on dreams, and work hard and consistently, but always with enjoyment.
How or why did you choose your instrument?
I heard the Spring Sonata on the radio when I was 6, and was convinced that I had to play this, so began violin lessons on my 7th birthday.
What instrument would you play if you couldn’t play your primary instrument?
Piano.
Which composer would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Mozart. He would probably be quite fun!
Where in the world would you most like to perform and why?
Anywhere in Italy, because I just love Italy in every way.
Would you rather: that you sounded like a tuba when you sneezed, or sounded like a piccolo when you laughed?
Piccolo.
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