# Where Do Soloists Look When Performing from Memory?

Where should you look when you perform from memory?

There is certainly no single right answer, but we can listen to some leading musicians explain where they look when playing from memory.

> The Chinese source was translated and abridged from The Strad's article “Where should string players look when performing from memory on stage?” Translation and adaptation: Violy Xiao A. Proofreading: Violy Yuanzhang. The biographical roles below are those given in the source article, rather than statements of current appointments.

### GÉZA SZILVAY

Principal of the East Helsinki Music Institute

![](https://static.lianmuse.com/image/blog/bf7e617560ec49492a19e16e7b83dfed.jpg)

Many people admire performing from memory on stage, although the reasons are unclear. As Szilvay recalls, Béla Bartók, one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century, always performed with the score in front of him. At the time of these remarks, many other musical giants, such as violin soloist Gidon Kremer, also preferred to perform with a score.

Of course, musicians at this level do not rely on the score in front of them as they play. Rather, the sheet music embodies the greatness of the work. Soloists look at this great monument without examining every individual note that forms it. Through those thousands of tadpole-like notes, they can sense the composer's presence directly. A music stand holding the score is like a musical altar, whose dignity must be respected. Soloists need to control their movements carefully, making every gesture as graceful as possible. They should never stare fixedly at the audience or the ceiling, nor should they keep their eyes closed for too long.

A music stand placed in front of the soloist does not interfere with interaction with the conductor or other musicians. On the contrary, it can broaden the soloist's field of vision. As violin soloists let their fingers dance across the fingerboard, they can also receive encouraging smiles from the viola and even the cello sections. (Editor's note in the Chinese source: a violin soloist's attention is generally focused on the conductor and the violin section.) They may even respond with a wink.

Next time you perform on stage, try taking the score with you.

### BORIS KUSCHNIR

Professor of violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria, and the Vienna Conservatory

![](https://static.lianmuse.com/image/blog/5ed2a46dddd669715275662a3e265261.jpg)

Where violin soloists look on stage varies greatly from person to person. It depends on their personality, how nervous they are during the performance, and the technical difficulty and expressive intensity of the piece. Some soloists focus on the violin, some look straight ahead, and others simply close their eyes.

It may be easier to approach the question by asking, “Where should soloists not look when performing?” It is not a good idea to search the audience carefully for people they know. Nor is it advisable to stare at one place throughout the performance, such as the point where the bow meets the string or the fingertips of the left hand. Looking upwards can also seem rather strange, as though they were searching for the score on the ceiling.

When soloists know a work thoroughly, their thoughts and attention are focused mainly on musical expression at a high level rather than on the technical difficulties of the piece, and their fingers are neither tense nor stiff. I believe that wherever they look, the audience will find them natural and at ease.