Renaud ready to channel Mozart

Head to Abu Dhabi this weekend and your ears will thank you.

The eighth season of Abu Dhabi Classics is kicking off with an auditory treat tonight. World-renowned violinist Renaud Capucon — who’s gone from prodigy performer to veteran — is joining the Austrian chamber orchestra Camerata Salzburg for a melodyfilled evening.

Ahead of the show, Capucon talked about what the audience can expect from the concert, dealing with jet-lag and why sometimes gloves are his best friend.

What can the audience expect from your show? Well I hope the audience will love the music of Mozart, [I] will play some of the most famous pieces for violin orchestras for Mozart concertos with Camerata Salzburg.

What drew you to the violin?

I began playing the violin when I was four years old [in 1976], and I straightaway loved the sound… Since then, I never stopped loving music.

What is your favourite piece of music? What songs are you listening to now?

My favorite pieces of music are so many because I am deeply into music, but I would say Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert.

You’ve been playing for a long time — do you have a special skincare regimen for your hands?

I have nothing special to take care of my hands, I’m just careful of course. And if it’s winter, I put some gloves. And before concerts, I am very careful with the fact that I need to nourish my body.

What’s next for you?

I have a special concert very soon in Olympia in Paris, which is a very famous hall.