Evelyn Glennie
Evelyn Glennie
Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie, DBEis a Scottish virtuoso percussionist. She is announced as one of the two laureates for the Polar Music Prize of 2015...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionDrummer
Date of Birth19 July 1965
thinking knowing world
I just assumed the world was full of solo percussionists. I couldn't find sticks or music or anything where I was, but that was expected because there was nothing there anyway. And I think that was possibly the greatest asset for me, just not knowing.
huge
The body's like a huge ear. It's as simple as that.
allow audience four happen huge performers piece plays seems tightrope
The audience plays a huge part in how a piece will actually form. They really allow the performers to walk a tightrope in a way that never seems to happen in the privacy of your own four walls. I'm listening to the audience, and they're listening to me.
combine composers lots
There's still a lot I need to do as a player, as a musician, as a sound creator. I have commissioned 170 pieces: that's still not enough, there are still lots and lots of composers I would like to approach. When I see a composer and I see a performer, I think to combine those forces.
goes stick wherever
Your mallet or your stick goes through the instrument, the sound goes out and then wherever the sound goes nobody knows, you know.
assumed career classical fact full music realized solo studied
Of course, I just assumed that the world was full of solo percussionists. It was only when I studied music full time, in London, that I realized that the career of a full-time classical percussionist did not in fact exist. It had to be created.
hearing might size
My hearing is out of the ordinary as others might see it, but not for me. I'm used to my hearing in the same way that I'm used to the size of my hands.
instrument notice tiny
It's the things that you notice when you're not actually with your instrument that, in fact, become so interesting, and that you - you want to explore, through this tiny tiny surface of a drum.
age musician late
I didn't decide to become a musician until the age of 15, which is quite late.
kids spinning-around littles
I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops.
trying plant embrace
I try to plant myself where I am and embrace what is there in front of me.
beautiful sweet kings
The thing about playing percussion is that you can create all these emotions that can be sometimes beautiful, sometimes really ugly, or sometimes sweet, sometimes as big as King Kong and so on. And so there can be a real riot out there, or it can be so refined.
jobs home airports
I associate going to an airport with work because I travel so much with my job. So when I have a few days free from work, I tend to stay at home.
sparkle
I like the sparkle of the vibraphone.