Acclaimed violinist Vladimir Jablokov talks to Andrea Smith about honouring his late father’s legacy through his forthcoming Bord Gais Energy Theatre concerts in Dublin
When he decided to ditch music college to come to Ireland 20 years ago in search of adventure, Slovakian violinist Vladimir Jablokov left behind a very upset father. Then aged 19, Vladimir was due to start training at the Academy of Performing Arts, where his father was a professor, but he packed his bags – and a fishing rod – and left for Ireland instead.
When he ran out of money and his second month's rent was due, Vladimir began busking on Grafton Street. The classical pieces went down well but the Viennese waltzes really got the crowds going. He made enough to cover the bills and rediscovered his passion for music and performing in the process. Now based in Kildare, Vladimir has a huge fan base. His live performances are electric and exhilarating as he brings his skilled fusion of classical music with the playfulness, energy, passion and emotion of gypsy, folk and popular music to life. When you see the passion and skill with which he performs, it comes as no surprise that he is in such demand.
Vladimir received the news of his father’s stroke just before he collected his sister Olga from the airport, as she was on her way here to perform with him at one of his concerts. They wondered if they should cancel the concert and fly straight there, but were assured that their father was stable and wasn’t going to die.
“The nurses in ICU told us afterwards that he refused to live,” Vladimir says. “He took all the tubes out and was refusing food and was very embarrassed when they had to change him. Living like that was his biggest fear because he was very independent.” Vladimir will be joined by the 45-piece RTÉ Concert Orchestra to bring his unique take on Vivaldi's best-known work to audiences. The concert will be conducted by his brother Viktor, who also arranged and orchestrated this work.
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