A large part of my work has been collaborating with composers; I think we've commissioned about 140 pieces now, a lot of them percussion concertos. Evelyn Glennie More Quotes by Evelyn Glennie More Quotes From Evelyn Glennie I've kept a diary since I was 11. Evelyn Glennie diaries Percussion is physical, as most instruments are. The body must function well in order to play the instruments well. Last year I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Evelyn Glennie play order years I suppose I don't hear things, but I listen, if you know what I mean. And there is a big difference between hearing and listening. So it's like a conversation, you know. When you speak to someone, it's one on one, and that's exactly how I play. Evelyn Glennie differences play mean When I was 12, I happened to see a schoolmate playing percussion, and it looked interesting. I asked for lessons, and it felt right. Evelyn Glennie percussion lessons interesting I just assumed the world was full of solo percussionists. I couldn't find sticks or music or anything where I was, but that was expected because there was nothing there anyway. And I think that was possibly the greatest asset for me, just not knowing. Evelyn Glennie knowing world thinking Once you're in a particular country, and you're surrounded by musicians who are so adept at traditional music, you suddenly realize how much there is to explore and digest and learn and experience. Evelyn Glennie realizing musician country I associate going to an airport with work because I travel so much with my job. So when I have a few days free from work, I tend to stay at home. Evelyn Glennie home jobs travel I try to plant myself where I am and embrace what is there in front of me. Evelyn Glennie embrace plant trying I hope the seeds I have sown will be taken up by those who will follow me because the journey I have begun cannot be undertaken in isolation. Evelyn Glennie isolation taken journey Apart from Scottish traditional music, I wasn't really influenced by any kind of music. I just basically followed my own instincts. Evelyn Glennie scottish instinct kind Concerts have to be seen as a real event for which the aim is to try and feed everybody. Evelyn Glennie events real trying If we see someone in a wheelchair, we assume they cannot walk. It may be that they can walk three, four, five steps. That, to them, means they can walk. Evelyn Glennie motivation inspiration mean I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops. Evelyn Glennie spinning-around littles kids I think I can only help to expose percussion to all sorts of people. The balance between the lighter and more serious side is important. Evelyn Glennie balance people thinking I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well. Evelyn Glennie orchestra sound play My first real foreign holiday was my honeymoon 20 years ago, and we went to Bali. It was particularly special for that reason, I enjoyed it very much - I had packed music scores and a practice drum pad, suspecting that I would be completely bored, but actually they remained in my case. Evelyn Glennie holiday music practice special As we live longer and healthier for longer, we need to keep ourselves busy... the diary is pretty full. Evelyn Glennie diary live need busy I want to be able to say on my deathbed that I reached a few people. That would be very nice, just to be able to say that. Evelyn Glennie say nice want people Anything you strike, anything you shake or rattle, or just anything that can be picked up, and you can create a sound. Evelyn Glennie create just you sound
