www.markrushviolin.com
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Carl Flesch Distilled:
A User-Friendly Guide to His Scale System
Teacher, author, and performer, Mark Rush, presents an innovative scale study that approaches the legendary Carl Flesch Scale System with experienced reflection, while keeping in mind the physical and mental complexities that all musicians face when learning their instrument.
Especially for teachers and violinists studying the Flesch Scale System for the first time, Carl Flesch Distilled provides thoughtful, easily understood, and simplified methods for accomplishing a solid technique. Carl Flesch Distilled is a wonderful supplement to the Flesch Scale System, and an essential, stand-alone volume for the library of any serious violinist.
Performer Bio
Known as a performer, teacher and author, Mark Rush enjoys a diverse musical career encompassing many interests. He has performed extensively on the concert stage and for radio and television in the United States, China, Canada and Europe. He plays a far-flung repertoire that includes many historical periods and musical genres.
Rush counts among his musical mentors many of the finest artists and teachers of the 20th century; he has studied with Ivan Galamian, Dorothy Delay, Itzhak Perlman, Szymon Goldberg, Nathan Milstein and Arthur Grumiaux and is a graduate of the Yale School of Music (MM) and the University of Colorado (BM).
Performance venues include Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie), the Kennedy Center, Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery, National Gallery of Art and the Gardner Museum in Boston. He has also performed at the Bath International Music Festival, the Banff Festival for the Arts, the Killington Music Festival, Weekend of Chamber Music Festival, Bang on a Can Music Festival, Sunflower Music Festival, and the Sedona Chamber Music Festival. Concerto appearances include engagements with the Shanghai Radio Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Sierra Vista Symphony, Tucson Chamber Orchestra, and the Mesa Symphony Orchestra. He has toured China several times as a performer and teacher in cities throughout the country.
Rush has recorded for ASV, CRI, Albany, and Equilibrium Records and was nominated for a Gramophone Award in 1994. His recording, Playing the Edge (2010), which features music for violin and percussion instruments, received widespread critical acclaim. May of 2015 marked the release of Barnstorming, a raucous collaboration of solo violin works and music for violin and piano.
As a dedicated performer of new music, Rush's past projects include commissions and premieres of works by many of today's prominent composers. He has worked with Steve Reich, Nicholas Maw, Joan Tower, Bruce Adolf, Barbara Kolb, Martin Bresnick, Patrick Neher, David Lang, Craig Walsh, and Dan Asia among others.
Rush has been a professor at the University of Denver, the University of Arizona and the University of Virginia. He is also an author and his book, Playing the Violin: An Illustrated Guide, is widely recognized as a valuable text for violin teachers and students alike.
In addition to musical endeavors, Rush pursues a long time interest in yoga and the Taoist arts, which informs both his teaching and playing. He is an avid hiker and backpacker.
Teacher/Professor
I have studied with many of the finest artists and teachers of the 20th century, each influencing me in some important way.
My own teaching blends ideas and methods gleaned from my teachers as well as from the hard knocks of experience. Many of my students are now succesful professional musicians in many diverse careers.
I am available for private lessons, online lessons, master classes and string clinics.
(Image: Teaching in China)
Author
Playing the Violin: An Illustrated Guide
Drawing on over twenty years of teaching experience, author Mark Rush systematically builds the fundamentals of violin playing from the ground up. Over 200 beautiful photographs demonstrate the concepts discussed and make this book especially accessible to both beginners and advanced The book focuses on developing a proper set up, addressing all the important issues involved in optimizing one's playing.
Recordings
"Barnstorming"
Mark Rush, violin. Tannis Gibson, piano
Music by Ives, Hearn, Bolcom, Malmsteen, Schoenfield
"Playing the Edge"
Mark Rush, violin. Norm Weinberg, percussion. Jerry Kirkbride, clarinet.
University of Arizona Percussion Ensemble
Music by Daugherty, Harrison, Walsh, Putts.
Chamber Music of Nicolas Maw
Monticello Trio (Rush,Gibson, Wexler with Judith Pearce and Paul Coletti)
Piano Trio and Flute Quartet
Chamber Music of Young Richard Strauss
Monticello Trio (Rush, Gibson, Wexler, with John Graham)
The 2 Piano Trios and 4 Pieces for Piano Quartet
Ives, Bresnick, Shatin
Monticello Trio
(Rush, Gibson, Wexler)
Music 4 Friends
Chamber works by Patrick Neher.