An Interview with
Ayke Agus
 Amadeus Press: What had your musical training been prior to your time with Heifetz? Ayke: Prior to my time with Heifetz, I studied violin and piano in Indonesia. And when I was almost eighteen, I received a four-year scholarship to study piano and violin in Buffalo, New York at a small college run by the Franciscan nuns. However, after having been at this college for two and a half years, I contacted Heifetz, my mother’s hero of the violin. AP: You’ve played both violin and piano for many years. Which do you feel most connected to? Ayke: I feel most connected to the violin. It is only natural; since the violin is played and held under the chin, it is an extension of the body. The piano is an instrument to which only your fingers are connected. AP: During the years with Heifetz, you played piano much of the time. How did you continue with your violin studies? Ayke: I received private violin lessons from Heifetz at his home for a while until I became occupied helping Heifetz complete his arrangements and transcriptions for violin and piano. I then continued my violin studies by observing and scrutinizing Heifetz’s ways of playing all the different pieces in the violin repertory from A-Z, and by listening to him repeat passages over and over to perfection. Naturally, I assimilated many of his ways of interpretation and execution of passages and musical phrases. AP: How did you develop your style while accompanying such a domineering musician? Ayke: Developing my own style came with time, after Heifetz’s passing. While working for him, I had to conform to his style of music making. But, Heifetz also coached me on my solo piano repertory, showing me how to express my individuality in my performance. Therefore, I was able to develop my own style within a short period of time, with his influence. AP: Besides your book, how do you hope to share Heifetz’s legacy in the years to come? Ayke: Heifetz passed on to me the legacy of his musical knowledge and wisdom. I hope to perpetuate his legacy by performing his transcriptions, as well as by conducting master classes and teaching. AP: What was it about his playing that impressed you, even as a child? Ayke: What impressed me about Heifetz’s playing was the depth, sincerity, passion, and intensity of his art, tone quality, and his music.
An author biography is also available.
Books by
Ayke Agus:
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