Canadian violinist Yolanda Bruno spoke to me about her new album Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, which both honour the late Jeanne Lamon, the renowned baroque violinist, and Music Director of Tafelmusik for 34 years. Yolanda explains how she explores the story of Jeanne’s 1759 Santo Serafin baroque violin, which was generously loaned to Yolanda for one year. You’ll hear a few clips from the album, including Jeanne’s masterful string trio arrangement of Bach’s iconic Ciaccona, as well as a taste of a Leclair duo with Julia Wedman, another important mentor for Yolanda, and a work by Beth Silver honouring Jeanne’s Dutch-Jewish heritage.

Yolanda reflects on what it means to live more sustainably with her partner, the accordionist Michael Bridge, who was previously featured on this podcast. She shared how her her annual project Music for Your Blues has impacted her life, as well as a very memorable experience performing in a high-security penitentiary, which taught her about connection and dignity, and the value of live music. I also wanted to shine a light on Yolanda’s brilliant first ablum, The Wild Swans, featuring 11 women composers, recorded with pianist Isabelle David. You’ll hear short excerpts by Lera Auerbach and Kelly-Marie Murphy. We end the episode with Yolanda’s insights about avoiding burnout by achieving balance in her life using the idea of longer cycles of time, which I loved.

Complete Show Notes with All the Links!

Yolanda Bruno Website

photo: Curtis Perry

(00:00 ) Intro

(02:34 ) Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik

(12:25 ) Jeanne’s arrangement of Bach Ciaconna with clip (Yolanda with Julia Wedman, Christina Mahler - J.S. Bach Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004

(15:46 ) film The Immortal Serafin, living more sustainably and mindfully, Michael Bridge

(24:39 ) the process of buying the Serafin, Jaak Liivoya, Bill Monical

(30:56 ) how Yolanda started playing baroque violin, meeting Jeanne

(34:41 ) clip of Jean-Marie Leclair Sonata for Two Violins in D Major, Op. 3, No. 3, ii. Allegro, lessons with Julia Wedman

(38:00 ) other linked episodes and ways to support this series

(38:50 ) Leclair, Beth Silver, Jeanne Lamon’s Dutch-Jewish heritage

(44:16 ) musical family, The Wild Swans album, Lera Auerbach with clip Lera Auerbach - 24 Preludes for Violin and Piano, op. 46: No. 9 in E Major (Allegro)

(51:38 ) Kelly Marie-Murphy The Swan Parapraxis with clip Kelly-Marie Murphy - The Swan Parapraxis, Carmen Bruno cello The Wild Swans album, Katherine Dowling

(55:22 ) Music for Your Blues, reading, memorable concerts

(01:02:37 ) performing for incarcerated audience in a penitentiary, Jean Rohe, Diane Schoemperlen

(01:07:04 ) studying in England, balancing life in annual cycles