Second Violins

Ekaterina Romanova

In the orchestra since 2005

Ekaterina Romanova started learning to play the violin when she was 5 years old. While studying at the Suzuki lyceum in Barnaul, she took part in Zakhar Bron’s master classes along with competitions and concerts with orchestra (including a tour around Japan). In 2002, Ekaterina Romanova was accepted to the Barnaul music college (Y.Y. Gaikolov’s class); in 2004, she entered the Novosibirsk music college (M.A. Kuzina’s class). In 2006, she began her education at the Novosibirsk Glinka State Conservatory (M.A. Kuzina’s class). She obtained her master’s degree in 2012.

Ekaterina Romanova is a laureate of various competitions, including the ones in Ukraine (2008), Czech Republic (2008), Italy/Austria (2009), and Russia (chamber ensemble competition in Ekaterinburg, 2010). In 2011, she founded the “el tango” music ensemble, which went on to become a laureate of the “Libertango” competition in Russia.

Since 2005, Ekaterina Romanova has been a member of the musicAeterna orchestra. She has taken part in all of the orchestra’s recordings to date.

WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE, BOTH AS A PERSON AND AS A MUSICIAN?

Since my very first days, I’ve been surrounded by the air of music and by people fully devoted to this beautiful art. My biggest influences are my mother (who is a cellist herself) and my teachers — particularly my first music teacher who opened the Suzuki lyceum in Barnaul. The lyceum is a prestigious school that uses the unique teaching methods of Sh. Suzuki, a Japanese violinist and teacher. My conservatory professor became my closest friend and mentor. When I was an untamed youth, she always supported me and helped me to implement even the craziest of my ideas, no matter how wild they seemed in my conservative surroundings.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I draw my greatest inspiration from people. From different ones: friends and strangers, big and small, tough and easy-going, happy and sad. I’m teaching myself to see beauty in people.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN WORKING WITH MUSICAETERNA?

I started working here when I was 18. Like many others, I was enchanted by Teodor’s personality, his ideas, his attitude to music, his love towards everyone, his patience and attentiveness to every musician in the ensemble. He felt like an older brother to us: he praised us, scolded us, helped us with our studies and sometimes bought plane tickets so that we could go to competitions or festivals. We gave presents to each other and made a point to celebrate every birthday, every holiday together. We watched movies and listened to music in each other’s company. We went home early in the morning and were back at the rehearsal at 11a.m. As a result, our ensemble now feels like a wonderful family where anger and envy have no place. Everyone here feels loved and needed.