The Secret to Becoming a Genius
When Pablo de Sarasate, a renowned Spanish violinist, was ten years old, he was so talented that he performed in front of Queen. He was praised for his sophisticated vibrato and unique rhythmic performance, and contemporary composers such as Camille Saint-Saens, Edouard Lalo, and Max Bruch dedicated pieces for him. He went on an endless concert tour to the Americas as well as Europe, such as France and the U.K., and thrilled his audiences.
Sarasate also excelled in composition, and gained his fame through his pieces such as Zigeunerweisen, Carmen Fantasy, and Spanish Dances. In particular, Zigeunerweisen was difficult even for contemporary violinists to try to play it, but Sarasate surprised the world by playing it with full command. People called him a born genius, but he said,
“For 37 years I’ve practiced fourteen hours a day, and now they call me a genius!”
