Mark oconnor, the grammywinning player and composer coming to the ferguson center on wednesday night, is the rarity the musician who is described as both a fiddler and a violinist. Violin book iv of the oconnor method a new american school of string playing the hallmarks of the american school and this method are rich musical literature, cultural diversity, historical relevance, stylistic variety, and inherent groundwork for creativity through individual expression and improvisation. Shop and buy mark oconnor the championship years 19751984 sheet music. For violin, viola, cello bass and string orchestra, by mark o connor. Mark oconnor fans a debate about the suzuki method the. While utilizing classic methods of violin technique and theory, the mark o connor violin method boldly adds uniquely american elements such as jazz, latin, rock, folk, ragtime and improvisation. Dec 08, 2014 the violin teacher mark oconnor, who has derided mr. Genreleaping composer and violin star mark oconnor is not the first stringinstrument player, famous or otherwise, to have studied the suzuki method when he was a child. For violin, viola, cello bass and string orchestra, by mark oconnor. This is a song that shows a lot of feelings, and a memorable quality. Double violin concerto by mark oconnor, nadja salerno.
Mark o connor violin i tess lark violin ii faded love is the bob wills classic becoming one of the most popular of his western swing songs in the 1950s. A take on the mark oconnorsuzuki controversy from a. His orchestral compositions have received over 600 performances with symphony orchestras. I had high hopes for this book, i love mark oconnor. Mark oconnor education in musicstrings violin features a series of video centered around the oconnor method, the oconnor string camps and mark oconnors performances with young people. Mark oconnor is the author of two centuries of australian poetry 3. Classical music performed by mark oconnor on vinyl, cd. The oconnor method employs classic violin technique and theory to teach students to become skilled violinists. For more information on the oconnor method for violin, viola, cello. Nov 16, 2014 going over nprs story about mark oconnors attacks on shinichi suzuki.
Mark oconnor author of two centuries of australian poetry. Shar music oconnor violin method book i bookcd long. Mark oconnor, arguably the greatest and most famous fiddler of all time, is an american original in every way currently at the pinnacle of his remarkable career, mark has created a new american school of violin playing that promises to quickly take its place among the great works of violin pedagogy. Why is american violin music supplemental in teaching american violin students. I am very open to the idea of teaching kids pedagogically using american tunes and the fiddling world has been long overdue for something like this. This eventual 10 book series for teachers and students assures success by taking an orderly and gradual approach using appealing and memorable tunes. Mark oconnor fans a debate about the suzuki method the new.
Mark oconnor is an astonishingly versatile american violinist and composer who has had exceptional success melding various genres of music country and bluegrass, jazz, and classical into his own unique style and voice. This new method uses traditional music of the americas as well as original compositions by mark o connor. Mark oconnor joined forces with wellknown string educator and composer, bob phillips, to provide a new introduction to the world of violin. O connor method string camp is a music instruction camp for violin and strings based on the o connor method. Orchestra book i from the o connor method series is designed for beginning string students between the ages of 5 and 10. Mark oconnor born august 5, 1961 is an american violinist whose music combines bluegrass, country, jazz and classical music. This two violin version was arranged by mark o connor for the o connor method book iv and its companion cd moc 4 this video is the actual footage from the professional cd recording session. The book is awkward instructionally, and it would not have suited me when i just started out. Mark oconnor conducts masterclasses on his own compositions and american classics from the oconnor method book series. Twinkle sparks fireworks as fiddler guts violin method fiddler mark oconnor claims shinichi suzuki, creator of the popular suzuki method of violin instruction, was a. In the 1980s, mark wrote his first caprices and first string quartet. The o connor method string camp is a music instruction camp for violin, viola, cello, double bass, and orchestra based on the o connor method.
Mark o connor s violin method for teaching american music. Nov 16, 2014 twinkle sparks fireworks as fiddler guts violin method fiddler mark oconnor claims shinichi suzuki, creator of the popular suzuki method of violin instruction, was a fraud. Buy mark oconnor, nadja salernosonnenbergs album titled double violin concerto to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. This is an original tune by mark oconnor with the arrangement found in book one. Mark oconnor, i am pleased to introduce the oconnor violin method for string teachers and students of the violin.
Oconnor was the founder and president of the internationally recognized mark oconnor string camp, and now is directing the oconnor methodtm camp new york city. Mark oconnor official website oconnor method digital. From a teaching perspective, the o connor method book does not teach basic violin technique quite as smoothly as the suzuki books. Oconnors responses provide a unique insight into the genesis of the fiddle concerto and his vision for musical. Find the latest, bestselling, and rare albums performed by mark o connor at alibris. Violinist and american fiddler maggie oconnor performs as a member of the grammy award winning mark oconnor band, as well as in a duo with her husband, violinist and composer mark oconnor. The fiddle concerto to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Perfect for the private studio, as a supplement in the studio, or for violin class in the school, these first two volumes of the o connor violin method will. The oconnor method for string teachers and students is a 10book series designed to guide students. Oconnor performs on a jonathon cooper violin and daddario strings and resides in new york city with his wife maggie. The oconnor band, featuring violin virtuoso mark oconnor, far right, performs in seattle on dec. Home page of mark oconnor official website, an americana, bluegrass, blues, classical, composer, country, folk, jazz artist from charlotte, nc. Working with classical violin icons isaac stern, itzhak perlman, yehudi menhuin and pinchas zukerman, he absorbed. The recently released oconnor method has been widely praised.
Oconner violin method book i by mark oconner 2009, cd. This 10 book series is designed to guide students gradually through the development of pedagogical and musical techniques necessary to become a proficient, wellrounded musician through a carefully planned succession of pieces. I had high hopes for this book, i love mark o connor. This was one of the questions posed by mark o connor and by longtime suzuki teacher pam dewall during a teacher training session at ucla for the new o connor violin method. Mark o connor, the legendary american composerviolinistfiddler. Oconnor would probably have been better off, saleswise, encouraging suzuki teachers to pick up his method books as supplements. Mark o connor is the author of two centuries of australian poetry 3. The mark oconnor method looks easy to learn and seems to contain quite a bit of material. Violin students can see the performers as they record the very rendition that mark oconnor authored for his method and is included in book iv. Suzukis method and challenged many elements of his biography in online postings. With a unique background in both traditional classical violin training and american musical styles, maggie continues her mission to show that violinists. Oconnor method for orchestra book ii score digital.
Oconnor, 53 who claims to have spent a number of years delving into dr shinichi suzukis life, has alleged the founder infactually made up components of. Twinkle sparks fireworks as fiddler guts violin method. It crosses a variety of musical genres and contains recordings made from 1976 to 1992. Mark oconnor authored the groundbreaking oconnor method of. Mark oconnor comes back to bluegrass, and to perform in seattle. Gyspy jazz minor swing mark oconnor oconnor method. Fiddling with an american alternative to suzuki american violinist mark oconnor has been a sideman for country stars and a soloist with symphony. Im working through cello book 1 in the oconnor method. But more than that, the oconnor method uses familiar traditional american music to engage and motivate the young student. Mark oconnor, the legendary american composerviolinistfiddler. Even if i was a kid and i had a teacher work with me through the book, it still would have been awkward and uninspiring.
Mark oconnors fiddle concerto arizona state university. I am pleased to introduce the o connor violin method for string teachers and students of the violin. Faded love violin duet mark oconnor tessa lark recording. Currently at the pinnacle of his remarkable career, mark has created a new american school of violin playing that promises to. Mark oconnor oconnor method teachertraining overview 60. Official website of the o connor method, a new american school of string playing.
This camp uses american music, creativity, cultural diversity, and improvisation to improve learning for both children and adults who want to take string lessons while enjoying and excelling at music. Charles ashvarian, the president of shar the violin shop, and probably the single biggest channel for sales of method books finally publicly told oconnor to cease and desist, he wasnt doing himself any favors. Basically, i dont want to curl up at my window chair and read most method books, but the oconnor method is different. As one of the premier rare book sites on the internet, alibris has thousands of rare books, first editions, and signed books available. Mark oconnor on fiddles, violins and what christmas means. Ive been playingfiddling around with my violin for about 2 years. Oct 25, 2015 a product of americas rich aural folk tradition as well as classical music, mark o connor s creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. Mark oconnor mark oconnor is a multi grammy award winning composerviolinistfiddler.
The first was the folk fiddler and innovator, benny thomasson and the second was french jazz violinist stephane grappelli. Our marketplace offers music by a huge variety of artists, from sellers worldwide. Workshops mark and maggie oconnor lead a class of students instruments in hand through a series of oconnor method book tunes, musical phrases, rhythms, and techniques that reveal the elements and machinery that. American violinist fiddler mark oconnor has this week made a number of startling public allegations including his belief that the founder of the suzuki method of music education was one of the biggest frauds in music history. The oconnor methodtm for violin and strings has been widely praised since its debut in fall 2009 as an american grown rival to the suzuki method the new yorker. This was one of the questions posed by mark oconnor and by longtime suzuki teacher pam dewall during a teacher training session at ucla for the new oconnor violin method.
Im a suzuki student and have done books 16 but i have almost no experience with fiddle style playing and would love to teach myself as i dont have funds for additional lessons right now. Currently at the pinnacle of his remarkable career, mark has created a new american school of violin playing that promises to quickly take its place among the great works of violin pedagogy. Mark oconnor this violin solo version was arranged by mark oconnor and inspired by his own lessons and performing experience with the iconic stephane grappelli for the oconnor method book iv. Mark o connor born august 5, 1962 is an american violinist and composer whose music combines bluegrass, country, jazz and classical music as a teenager he won national string instrument championships on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. The lavishly illustrated books focus on well known traditional american tunes such as oh. Oconnor method string camp is a music instruction camp for violin and strings based on the oconnor method. His mentors are benny thomasson who taught oconnor to fiddle as a teenager. The hallmarks of the american school and this method are rich musical literature, cultural diversity, historical relevance, stylistic variety, and inherent groundwork for creativity through individual expression and improvisation.
Going over nprs story about mark oconnors attacks on. Review of oconnor violin method book 1 november 08, 2012 when i first heard about these oconnor fiddle books i was actually pretty excited. Review of oconnor violin method book 1 rethinking genius. So far, mark has created two violin books, with plans for eight more. This camp uses american music, creativity, cultural diversity, and improvisation to improve learning for both children and adults who want to take string lessons while enjoying and excelling at.
To gain an understanding of oconnors composition process, i submitted to him a list of questions, via email, in the summer of 2016. Violin book i, violin book ii, violin book iii, violin book iv, 6 violin duos, violin book v, seven violin duos, viola book i, viola book ii, viola book iii, cello book i, cello book ii, orchestra book i score. Strad magazine says the succession of melodies is attractive and carefully planned. Official website of the oconnor method, a new american school of string playing. Violinmark oconnor, arguably the greatest and most famous fiddler of all time, is an american original in every way. As a teenager he won national string instrument championships on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Mark oconnor comes back to bluegrass, and to perform in. He took out his violin to demonstrate why he thinks boil em cabbage down, the fiddle tune that starts his book, is superior to the wellknown. I actually wouldnt even point this out except for the fact that there is a forward at the beginning of the book explaining that its designed with teaching violin technique in mind. I am pleased to introduce the oconnor violin method for string teachers and students of the violin. Oconnor and played through a matched pair of neumann.
The violin books are available with and without an accompaniment cd. Aug 11, 2008 listen to your favorite songs from mark o connor. Mark oconnors violin method for teaching american music. Mark o connor is an astonishingly versatile american violinist and composer who has had exceptional success melding various genres of music country and bluegrass, jazz, and classical into his own unique style and voice. Mark oconnor, arguably the greatest and most famous fiddler of all time, is an american original in every way. Home page of mark o connor official website, an americana, bluegrass, blues, classical, composer, country, folk, jazz artist from charlotte, nc.