Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste are a violin-playing duo called Black Violin. They were profiled on NPR in September and I must have been so busy with Gilda I missed it. The article is well worth reading, about the challenges facing black violinists – challenges involving opportunity, I’m sure (but let’s be honest: there aren’t worlds of opportunity for ANY violinist, especially classical violinists – it’s competitive on a whole other level, since regular jobs in the field barely exist – it’s similar to ballet.). The fact remains, though, that a black male violinist is just not even in the cards when the word “violinist” is mentioned. But what these guys talk about mainly is challenging that preconceived notion that black people (especially tall huge black men) wouldn’t play classical violin. Their mere presence challenges preconceived notions and the two are fully aware of that. (This has been on my mind a bit anyway because of the thrilling rise of Misty Copeland, and how she faced similar preconceived notions about ballet.)
I caught up with Black Violin this morning, and the video above, of their song “Stereotypes” brought me to tears. It’s a gorgeously directed video (so many unforgettable images, an emotional collage) and keeps coming back to the shots of the two guys playing the violin at one another, and the joy they clearly have in what they are creating together.
The two men were raised playing classical violin (Sylvester says: “It started for me with Bach, ’cause Bach is the equalizer, you know?”) Having training in classical music basically means the two can do anything. (Anyone see the Metallica concert with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra? Here’s Metallica playing “Enter Sandman” accompanied by the orchestra. )It is so exciting seeing all of those classically trained violinists playing the heaviest fastest metal music in the world. One of the violinists after that Metallica concert said that in all his career he had never had to change shirts during intermission due to sweating right through it.) Classical training, similar to ballet training, sets an artist up to be able to do anything. The building-blocks are so solid, the training so rigorous. To be any good at all, even minimally good, takes thousands and thousands of hours of practice.
Black Violin’s musical style is an exhilarating hybrid. Some of the chords almost sound bluegrass-y. The opening strains have an Eminem “Lose Yourself” echo. There’s a driving engine at work underneath. Their skill is astonishing. What a sound, what a song.
New fan right here, fellas. I want the whole album.
