I understand both your parents were pianists, what drew you to the violin?

I always loved the piano and was initially driven to it. And still, listening to a piano gives me a feeling of home.

Midori SeilerMidori Seiler. Photo © Maike Helbig

I guess, without being able to prove it, that my parents were responsible for having driven me to the violin, knowing how hard it is to survive as a pianist. I guess they were right and I should be grateful to them.

When and how did you become interested in historically informed performance?

I had a kind of musical resurrection experience. That sounds pathetic but being a modern instrument convicted offender until then, that experience was most surprising for me. I listened to a single concert. That was it. It was the fortepiano, played by Andreas Staier. Weeks later I enrolled in the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis to study Historical Performance Practice myself. And today, I am on stage with Andreas myself sometimes, what a miracle!

You’ve had long relationships with both the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and Anima Eterna Brugge – what are the most important things you have learned working with those...