Life lessons

The American violist, a long-standing mainstay of the Kronos Quartet, discusses his enduring love for chamber music

'It was my final quartet recital, rather than a solo performance, that felt like a culmination of my time at Indiana University. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved chamber music. Even in primary school, it was the chamber music ensemble that I looked forward to most. Summer camps were also a huge influence on my musical development. I enjoyed being totally immersed in music and would try and go to three or four a year. In fact, that was how I ended up playing viola. One year, no more violin positions were available, but they said, ‘If you play viola, we can give you a scholarship.’ My high school, through which I was learning violin, had also just received a new viola. So I switched, and haven’t looked back since!

I learnt about Indiana University while at a summer camp. Hearing great things about it, I moved there from Kansas State University shortly afterwards. Coming from a small town in Illinois, I immediately felt like a very small fish in a very big pond! I excelled with David Dawson as my teacher. Not only was he a great musical influence, but also an amazing quartet coach. He would always say: ‘To succeed you need talent, hard work and a certain amount of luck.’

Dutt’s university quartet in 1977

TOP PHOTO JOHANNE KARLSRUD

I really took that to heart. Unlike many teachers who impose their style on students, Mr Dawson urged me to be my own teacher. I made my own decisions about things like fingerings and character. I explored what it means to create a phrase, which is still incredibly useful today with Kronos when premiering new works.

During my time in Indiana, I absorbed everything around me. I would attend classes by János Starker and Josef Gingold. To hear Gingold demonstrate just sliding up to a note could bring tears to your eyes. His love for music was so inspiring. I also learnt from other teachers, and quickly realised that I had to be careful what I studied with people. When teachers have an affinity with a piece, they teach it well! In retrospect, I wish I had performed more at university, rather than just staying in the practice room. You improve and learn so much from playing in front of others.

As a violist, you’re in the thick of it

I love chamber music’s sense of camaraderie and collaboration. As a violist, you’re in the thick of it. On an interpersonal level, although there will be heated arguments, when a decision is made together, it becomes greater than you. We have a policy of always respecting each other. If someone comes up with an idea you don’t like, they have nevertheless signalled a problem that must be solved as a team. Something I would recommend to young quartets is to build a shorthand for rehearsing. Get the classics under your belt, and then you will have reference points for future rehearsals. You can work for ever on a piece but building a solid history with your quartet makes the process much quicker.

INTERVIEW BY RITA FERNANDES