interview
When and
Where was your first concert with MCO?
Lucerne 2018. I had just moved to Europe and was so excited when I got invited to play
on this tour of Beethoven and Schumann with Daniele Gatti.
What is
the best thing about playing with the MCO?
The
feeling of being connected to every musician on stage. With MCO, everyone is so
aware of each other which brings a level of musical flexibility and inspiration
to every performance that is really exciting.
What do
you need to feel at home whilst on tour?
MCO is
special because it feels like one big family, so no matter where we are or what
we are playing – it always feels like home!
What do
you do before a performance?
Eat chocolate. It’s probably just an excuse … but I really feel like it helps me
play my best!
What would
you do if you weren’t a musician?
I have
trained in ballet for many years and I love how it is a way to express music
without the instrument in my hands but still through my body. It’s definitely
too late for a career now, but I still love taking classes in my free
time.
BIOGRAPHY
Violinist Alexandra Preucil is recognised internationally for her communicative leadership and expressive musicianship. She is a member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and collaborates with the world’s major ensembles such as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Utopia Orchestra, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, and has led the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Ballet Orchestra, and Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster. Former Assistant Concertmaster of the acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra, Alexandra moved to Europe in 2017 and resides in Vienna, Austria.
Dedicated to music education and community engagement, Alexandra has always loved to create and perform programs for all ages. Early on, her passion for teaching led her to create her own violin class and collaborate extensively with the Cleveland Orchestra’s education department. As Director of the Britt Festival Fellowship Program, she developed a summer academy for string players to be mentored in a professional orchestra while guiding them to develop unique community and education programs. Recently, she has been teaching masterclasses around the world with a focus on chamber music and the orchestral repertoire. She also serves as Vice President of the Starker Foundation which carries on the mission of her grandfather to support aspiring professional cellists.
Born into a musical family, Alexandra began the violin at the age of three. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music performance and a minor in dance. She plays on a violin by Sanctus Serafin from 1744.