Origins: Abigél Králik

I wish I had some romantic origin story, but the truth is the violin is all I’ve ever known, long before I can even remember. Growing up, you learn ways of expressing yourself and for me, music became a natural outlet both artistically and emotionally. Everyone in my family had their “thing”. For my sister, it was medicine, for my brother, engineering. For me, music. Hence, it didn’t take long for the violin to fully ingrain itself in my sense of self.

Born in America, I moved to Dublin at a young age. It was here where I first picked up the violin, but it was in Hungary where I really started learning how to play. The first pieces I remember attempting were all very simple. I know a lot of teachers give their students technically challenging pieces to develop their muscles. But mine really believed in giving things that developed the emotional capacity and intelligence within the violin. I tended to do pieces that, although maybe slower, were more interesting and heartfelt. It’s something I’m forever grateful for because it taught me to appreciate the subtleties of music – what lies beneath the surface, beyond the performance. That perspective shaped the way I approach my art to this day.

Later, I moved back to America and attended Juilliard. Coming from an Eastern European teaching style, it felt like everything was the total opposite. It was a little confusing at first but turned out to be invaluable for my musical development. I was lucky enough to be tutored by Itzhak Perlman, whose lessons extended far beyond technique. Aside from being an exceptional soloist and renowned musician, he’s just a good person. He showed me how to have humor in what you do and the importance of not overthinking. It took me years to accept that nobody ever really has a “perfect” performance.

Traveling has been formative in my musical venture. Every culture is so different, with its own artistic values, and when you fully immerse yourself in the place it really does inform the way you play.

When the pandemic hit, I was mid studies and as hard as it was, it was also a huge blessing. I was at a point in my life where I was questioning not just my own future as an artist but whether the world even appreciated the arts anymore. I completely put away my violin and even though I love the violin more than anything, it was so healthy for me to remember what it’s like to be a human who’s not just a musician. To reconnect with what’s important to me. Those months really reminded me how critical art is to the survival of humanity. Then, when Covid ended and I picked up the violin again, I was reminded of why I started playing in the first place. I didn’t take it for granted anymore. What I want to say is, it’s important to have variety in your life. I think stepping away from the instrument and learning how to appreciate XYZ, will teach you how to love and how to put that feeling into your music.