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3. The physical challenge

Violinist Tasmin Little speaks to artists about leaving the world of performance behind. This week's focus is on the taboo of injury and the pressure of expectation for soloists.

Violinist Tasmin Little speaks to artists about leaving the world of performance behind. This week's focus is on the taboo of injury and the pressure of expectation for soloists.

Cellist Matthew Barley shares his story of a long emotional and physical journey back from a shoulder injury. After visiting 16 doctors in six different countries, he still could not play and was beginning to feel that all hope was lost. Tasmin and Matthew talk about the discipline musicians have developed to achieve their ambitions, and that this mindset can be the enemy when you need to stop and rest.

Katherine Butler, a physiotherapist who specialises in Performing Arts Medicine talks through hyper-mobility and musician's dystonia, two conditions that disproportionally affect musicians and can have a devastating impact.

Produced by Rebecca Gaskell for BBC Audio North.

28 days left to listen

56 minutes

Music Played

  • Arvo Pärt

    Spegiel Im Spegiel

    Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Martin Roscoe.
    • Classics for Pleasure.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 1.
  • John Tavener

    Protecting The Veil; 1

    Performer: Matthew Barley. Orchestra: Sinfonietta Rīga.
    • Tavener: The Protecting Veil.
    • SIGNUM.
    • 1.
  • Niccolò Paganini

    24 Caprices for Solo Violin, No. 24 in A Minor

    Performer: María Dueñas.
    • Paganini: 24 Caprices.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 24.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Cello suite No. 6; Prelude

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma.
    • Six Evolutions / Bach Cello Suites.
    • Sony.
    • 13.
  • Max Bruch

    Violin Concerto in G minor; Finale

    Performer: Tasmin Little. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vernon Handley.
    • Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor.
    • PARLOPHONE.
    • 3.
  • Robert Schumann

    Toccata Op. 7

    Performer: Georges Cziffra.
    • The Complete Studio Recordings.
    • ERATO.
    • 25.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Storgårds.
    • Sibelius: Complete Symphonies.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 4.

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