The Art of the Unwritten: Creative Pedagogy and Improvisation with violinist Rupert Guenther

Rupert Guenther is an Australian improvising violinist and pedagogue. Some of the music you’ll be hearing is excerpted from his 5 albums commissioned from the ABC. You’ll hear stories from his varied career, in both Australia and Vienna, and influences and mentors from Melvyn Cann, Terje Moe Hansen, Igor Ozim and Allan Zavod. He shares his approach to creating fully improvised music as a classically trained violinist and how he teaches his students to ground their playing with his reflective approach.

You can also watch the video on my YouTube. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links!

photo: Anne Errey

(00:00) Intro

(01:43) Guildhall experience with clip of track 2 from New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I

(07:09) Terje Moe Hansen, Rupert’s first teachers

(11:50) ABC commissions, remembering Melvyn Cann with clips track 3 and 1 from Sonata I The Moxbournienna Sonatas

(19:03) playing with amplification with clip Sticks and Branches from Amplified Soundscapes for solo violin, benefits of improv

(24:30) Igor Ozim, Brian Finlayson, Helfried Fister, Vienna

(39:17) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast

(40:30) Rolling Stones, Melbourne exposure to global music with clip of track 2 The Moxbournienna Sonata I

(46:33) how busking helped connect with audiences with clip “Meeting Lao Tau from New Sacred Music vol. 2

(52:03) approach to teaching, getting over stage fright through improvisation, Conservatorium of Intuitive Music, with clip of track 4 New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I

(01:07:32) Allan Zavod

(01:23:52) Cosmology projects, teaching improvisation

(01:23:52) meditation and teaching