Natasha Bazhanov
Second violin Natasha Bazhanov
Born in Ekaterinburg, Russia, Natasha Bazhanov began playing violin at the age of 5. After winning several regional youth competitions, she made her solo debut with Ural State Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 9 and later was invited to Moscow Central Music School to join the class of professor Belenky.
She was one of five people chosen to participate in Sir Yehudi Menuhin's masterclass during his historic visit to Moscow.
Natasha Bazhanov’s violin case always has some instrument rosin (for her bow), a set of new strings, a few mutes, a photo of her daughter when she was 2 (she’s currently 16), and a couple of cards and notes that are particularly meaningful to her.
Since she started playing violin at age 5, every recital, jury and chamber concert, her hands would be icy cold, no matter if it was heatwave warm or the dead of winter. Back then, she used to play right up until she hit the stage to make sure her hands didn’t get so cold during difficult passages that she dropped her bow, her biggest fear. Nowadays, she doesn’t play right up until a chamber concert but she does spend much of the day warming up.
The violin she currently uses is a “modern” Italian instrument; it was made in 1967 by Marino Capicchioni. She’s had it since 2017 and it’s the only one she prefers to play.
Natasha says it’s impossible to pick just one person who inspires her; her parents, family, friends, colleagues, people she meets outside of the orchestra, people she reads about...
She thinks inspiration can be found anywhere, at any time, and it doesn’t need to be fueled by some sort of huge, life-changing event.
Natasha has numerous favorites pieces, depending on her mood or the day or the season or various other factors. But if she was forced to pick a few, [including] Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18 would be included (it was the first quartet she ever played), as would [and] Schumann’s Piano Quintet, which she says she had a blast performing with friends during their last year of school in Moscow.
