Interview with Emma Wernig
Emma is a fantastic violist based in Berlin, but I first got to know her as a photographer — yes, she’s one of those multi-talented people who can excel at more than one thing! Last summer at Krzyzowa Music Festival in Poland, I finally got to know her as a violist and as a person. Struck by her sincerity, sensitivity, and intelligence, I knew we’d have an interesting conversation that I’d want to feature here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
1. What do you turn to, when you're going through a difficult time in your life?
I like to remind myself that there's always a choice. I always think, “What can I do in this moment right now? What's in my power in this very moment?” There's always a step you can take. Even if it's not forwards, sometimes even just a step sideways is great and feels good.
But once the initial moment of despair has passed, I want laughter. Like finding humour in whatever the situation is. Because I think no matter how desolate, you can find it somewhere. And if someone can help me find it, then I'm very grateful.
2. The production brings together classical music with rituals inspired by Japanese traditions. Did you grow up with, or currently practice, any rituals (anything you do on a regular basis) that help you connect to yourself and/or to others?
I practice yoga, as many musicians do. However long or short, just coming to the mat on the floor at least once a day, reuniting with the body that you're in, that’s really important for me.
As for a non-physical practice, I make tea every day. I really find tea to be very grounding, it is a little ritual for myself. A nice, warm beverage keeps me grounded.
3. If you could ask Messiaen one question, what would it be?
I would probably ask him what makes him laugh. I mean, you could ask him, “What gives you hope?” or this kind of thing, but we know that's God or music or something like that. So I would be curious to know how he found humour or joy in his life, in his circumstance, throughout. People’s senses of humour are so different. And I think that people's senses of humor are usually their inner children, in a way. So that would be the best way, probably, to get to know him. “What's just so funny to you?”