Young violinist talent

“David Garrett doesn’t have to be afraid of me”

Even superstar David Garrett started out small.

(Bild: Reinhard Judt, Viennareport, Krone KREATIV)

Until now, David Garrett was regarded as "the" devil's violinist. But 13-year-old Philip Schuszter from Loretto in Burgenland could soon overtake him. The youngster is highly talented, plays the violin like a great and is already causing a sensation abroad. The "Krone" visited him at home.

Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart or Paganini: just like these exceptional violinists, Philip Schuszter wants to make history. In fact, the 13-year-old pupil, who attends the Theresianum in Eisenstadt and is a passionate violinist, has the best chances. After all, he has been studying violin for seven years on the highly gifted course at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz with the renowned Professor Regina Brandstätter from Oberschützen. When he started, he was her youngest pupil and Burgenland's youngest student.

Philip Schuszter at one of his performances.

(Bild: zVg)

The child prodigy knows exactly what he wants
"It all started when I was five years old. My dad played the elf dance for me back then. I was also allowed to play a note. I was so enthusiastic that he immediately sent me to lessons with his former violin teacher Georg Rauchbauer. After three months, I had my first performance in front of an audience. That was great! I've loved the limelight ever since. That's when I'm at my best," says the young classical music lover, who also achieves top grades in mathematics and English.

His mother Elke - she is a judicial officer and branch manager at Mattersburg District Court - nods in confirmation: "Philipp is very musical. He was already singing before he could talk. When I played him the summer theme from 'The Four Seasons' for the first time, he ran around the table like crazy. If he hadn't discovered his love for this instrument, he would probably have become hyperactive because he was already mentally underchallenged in kindergarten."

Philip's parents Michael and Elke and his 15-year-old twin sisters Lena and Stella are proud of him.

(Bild: Reinhard Judt)

(Bild: Reinhard Judt)

A fateful encounter
At the age of six, Philip took part in the "Prima la musica" music competition for the first time and immediately won first place. When he expressed his desire to continue practising immediately after his performance, the aforementioned Regina Brandstätter, who also happened to be there, noticed the young maestro's potential and forward momentum and took him under her wing straight away. Since then, Philip has been commuting to Oberschützen once a week for individual lessons.

This obviously pays off. At the tender age of nine, he shone in his first major performance at a gala in the sold-out Haydnsaal at Esterházy Palace - as a soloist accompanied by a quartet. The child prodigy has also attracted international attention. Last year, for example, Philip won first prize at the American International Music Competition, as well as this year at the Beethoven Music Competition in Vienna and the Euterpe Music Award in Munich.

A few days ago, he was the state winner of the "Prima la musica" competition.

(Bild: Reinhard Judt)

The foundation for a top career has been laid
"Since the coronavirus pandemic, many international competitions have unfortunately only been held online, but that also has its advantages. You simply send in a video, which is then rated according to a points system. These videos are recorded live at concerts, class evenings or in churches. The competition is fierce. In addition to the USA, there are also numerous talented virtuosos from China, Japan, Indonesia, Poland, Ukraine and Turkey," explains dad Michael, who has taken on the time management of his son in addition to his work as a lawyer. 

For the past two years, Philip has also been part of Camerata Prima, an orchestral project to promote talent under the patronage of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This involves rehearsing orchestral pieces with the children at the usual high level. Even Mozart at the original tempo! Philip easily keeps up.

He doesn't read biographies about great composers. But during a visit to Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, he read every letter, studied every score and, after three hours, said, "I'm proud to be in this place.

Vater Michael Schuszter über seinen Sohn Philip

Can David Garrett pack it in soon?
"This project has already resulted in performances with renowned string players such as Harald Krumpöck and Yevgeny Andrusenko," he enthuses and talks about the Wimmer Grammar School in Oberschützen, where he wants to transfer so that he can take even more violin lessons. "After my A-levels, I really want to study the violin and be part of the Philharmonic Orchestra at the same time. I also want to form my own quartet."

I wonder what the star would say to the young talent?

(Bild: EPA)

Could he also imagine becoming a pop star and heartthrob like David Garrett? "Hmmmm... He used to be my idol. But he doesn't need to be afraid of me, because his music isn't really mine anymore," says the teenager confidently.

That's his plan B
And what if his dream is shattered or his love for the violin dies out for some unknown reason, for example, if in the distant future a young woman makes the sky full of violins and he only wants to play for her? "I've already forged a Pan B for this eventuality. Then I'll become a lawyer - like everyone else in our family."