Anita Vedres

Welcome to Bittersweet Symphony, a podcast about the bitter, sweet and bittersweet memories and experiences of classical musicians during the pandemic. Hosted and produced by me, Cliodhna Ryan, a violinist, it’s an intimate and heart-warming exploration of the human spirit.

My guest in episode twelve is violinist Anita Vedres. There are three significant areas of her life she explores with us; her family, her working and musical life, and nature and the environment. In each of these areas, she reflects on her bitter, sweet and bittersweet memories and experiences.

She shares her thoughts on the impact of international touring on the environment, her engagement with nature, freelance life, the place of music in our society, how that is or isn’t represented and reflected in the decisions our government makes and finally "our glorious insignificance."

Anita left Ireland to studying in London and Utrecht. She returned to Ireland and joined the Irish Chamber Orchestra. A full member there for years, she continues to perform regularly with them. She is also a former member of the National Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the RTE Concert Orchestra. Holding a master’s degree in baroque violin she is a founding and active member of the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

Aside from her diverse orchestral activities she enjoys playing 17th- & 18th-century and contemporary music in chamber ensembles and has appeared with Crash Ensemble, Camerata Kilkenny, Musici Ireland, Armoniosa and the Robinson Panoramic Quartet with whom she has premiered many works by Irish composers.

She enjoys working with young people as a violin teacher and coach through Dublin Youth Orchestras and in schools workshops with Music Network. She is a regular contributor to the Classical Kids concert series and is currently among the musicians in residence at the National Opera House, working to get young children inspired by and involved in music.

This interview was recorded in September 2021.

GET IN TOUCH WITH ANITA/LINKS

Instagram

Facebook

Irish Baroque Orchestra

GET IN TOUCH WITH BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

#bittersweetsymphony

CREDITS

Thumbnail Art || Colm MacAthlaoith

Writers || Mick Jagger, Richard Ashcroft, Keith Richards

Violin || Cliodhna Ryan

Production || Cliodhna Ryan

Mastering || Patrick Stefan Groenland