DIANA YUKAWA, a 17-year-old Anglo-Japanese violin prodigy, could be the next Vanessa Mae. Having released two classical albums, the professional violinist says she is working on a rock'n'roll track which is expected to hit music stores later this year. Yukawa, who was in Hong Kong for a concert last week, has just signed a contract with the manager who looks after pop-classical group Bond. But Yukawa is no Vanessa Mae or Bond. Dressed in an elegant white-striped see-through blouse, purple jacket, skin-tight faded blue jeans and wearing white high-heeled ankle boots, Yukawa is ready for a walk on the wild side. 'I love 70s rock music. I am crazy about the psychedelic sound,' says the London-based violinist, who is a great fan of Jimi Hendrix. Since she regards her violin as an extension of herself, it is only natural that she wants to use this instrument to play rock tunes. 'Why can't I bring something new to the classical music scene? Music is music, as long as it sounds good.' Yukawa knows that making a strictly rock'n'roll album is a big risk ? and she likes taking risks. 'A life without regrets will be perfect, but that's unrealistic. Taking risks means you have to have regrets sometimes. This actually makes life more interesting for me,' she says. Yukawa credits the songs on her new album to legendary bands such as Led Zeppelin and Focus. 'I am still choosing the songs. Not every rock song is suitable to be played on violin,' says Yukawa, whose father was killed in a plane crash weeks before she was born. One that will not be part of the album is Led Zeppelin's everlasting rock song Stairway To Heaven. But Yukawa insists classical music remains the backbone of her career. Having released her first album at age 14, she is still undergoing intense training in classical music, devoting the whole of last year to her studies. She is also taking dancing lessons to enhance her stage act. 'Exaggerated body movement is a better way of putting it,' she says with a laugh. 'I dance with my violin every lesson. I feel more comfortable with it.' But her dance teacher trembles at the thought, and who can blame him considering the prized violin, made in 1741, is worth US$3.9 million (HK$30.4 million). Yukawa says the violin is like her close friend. 'When people learn the price of it, they don't dare touch it. Even my mother refuses to hold it for me.' With Yukawa taking lessons in 'exaggerated body movement', it is hard not to bring up Vanessa Mae's name. 'We are different,' says Yukawa without hesitation. She says Mae is more techno- and dance music-oriented, while she is more about 70s rock.' Plus, Yukawa will not be playing an electric violin, one of Mae's trademarks. 'Using a genuine classical instrument to play rock songs is more challenging and interesting for me,' she says. 'To me, being more talented means I have to work harder to make better use of my talent.' Yukawa wants to be remembered by the world after her death. 'Nothing big, I just want to leave a footprint on this world that will remember me as a dedicated musician.' But this may be difficult if you are a prodigy.
