Rudolf Koelman's legendary phone conversation with Jascha Heifetz - on video
Rudolf Koelman was one of Jascha Heifetz last pupils. In the eighties and nineties, he was one of the major violin talents in the Netherlands. He studied with Herman Krebbers. Later, as a most beloved student of Jascha Heifetz, the god among violinists, he made his international breakthrough. Since then, he is known as a wizard and he travels the world with his Stradivarius. He played with all the major orchestras in the Netherlands and abroad.
Rudolf Koelman and Jascha Heifetz
Koelman keeps very warm and intense memories of studying with the legendary Jascha Heifetz, not only a master on violin, but also a master in organising parties for his students. He made quite particular rules for the students to enter these parties and invented many games during, to enchant his audience.
Jascha Heifetz “Your mother is not your date”
Listen to this legendary phone call conversation between Heifetz and Koelman. Taken before one of those famous parties, Heifetz used to organize in his beach home.
Koelman had the smart inspiration by then (we're talking about at least 30 years ago) to record this conversation. Jump to 1'46, when Heifetz answers.
After being concertmaster of the Concertgebouw Orchestra for a couple of years, Koelman got a position as Professor of violin at the distinguished Zürich University of the Arts in Switzerland. In 2005 he founded the ZHdK Strings, a young and dynamic ensemble with 15 to 18 of the best students from concert and soloists classes. With the ZHdK Strings, he performed at various festivals and concert halls in Switzerland and Italy and made tours to Korea, Thailand and Turkey, to promote his young students in their hometown.
Rudolf Koelman continued the tradition of his master Jascha Heifetz, and genuine in organising parties for his students (+ dates!) as well. The famous games remain an important ingredient and some of the games have, until today, mysterious rules and waves, that not anyone can follow....
Irma de Jong