Exclusive: I recorded the Beethoven concerto with a broken index finger
mainThe exceptional Russian violinist Alena Baeva was due to record the Beethoven concerto in France.
When the date came round last October, she was six months pregnant.
Then she slipped and fell in Paris on a wet pavement, breaking the index finger of her right hand.
That’s when the spirit of Stalingrad kicked in.
Alena tells slippedisc.com:
‘My index finger on the right hand was diagnosed as broken. It had to be kept fixed and immobilized. I tried to practice like that but it was very painful.
‘Some days before recording I got a second opinion that it was a contusion and I should urgently work with physiotherapist despite the pain, otherwise the finger will lose mobility. It was quite a journey into finding myself being able to play again (and for an audience!) after three weeks of silence and fear, to enjoy precious music-making, and manage the pain after exercises.
‘So this Beethoven recording actually saved my finger!’
And she has a little girl.
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