Violinist Charlie Siem on mixing modelling and music ahead of his Hong Kong debut
Musician first did a fashion shoot to get exposure for his music career, and that’s still his focus, having been inspired as a boy of 3 to take up the violin
Charlie Siem spoke to Vanessa Yung ahead of his Hong Kong debut this week.
What’s special about your debut concert with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong this Saturday?
I’ve been to Hong Kong before a few times, but this is my first time to perform here. [I’m also working for the first time with guest] conductor Ken-David [Masur], whom I’ve met before in New York a few years ago. I’m playing two very contrasting pieces written very much in the same period but by very different composers. The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams is a classic, lyrical and romantic piece. It’s very English-style. And then I’m playing Ravel’s Tzigane. Ravel was French and much more academic in his approach to writing. Tzigane is a Gypsy-inspired piece which is wild, fiery like fireworks on the violin. On Sunday, I’m having a master class [at the Cultural Centre].
SEE ALSO: Other strings to his bow: Charlie Siem - classical violinist, model and pop performer
Did you always want to become a violinist?
I’ve always played the violin and that’s just been the biggest part of my life. I picked up the violin when I was three and I never looked back. It was my mum who introduced me to the instrument. She used to play tapes of music and I really fell in love with it. The repertoire for the violin is particularly special. It’s a huge repertoire and there’s so much variety. Some of the great pieces which I used to listen to as a child are absolutely inspirational and they really stimulated my imagination. And it was wanting to play this music myself that really led me into it.
I remember I did a tour in Taiwan a few years ago. It was really exciting. Really enthusiastic audience and really excited fans
What are some of your fondest musical memories?