Oliver Lewis (violinist)
Oliver Lewis | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Oliver Lewis |
Born | London, England | 12 May 1971
Genres | Classical, Electronic, Pop |
Occupation(s) | Violinist, actor |
Years active | 1996–present |
Labels | Guild Music |
Website | www |
Oliver Lewis (born 12 May 1971) is a British violinist and founder member of the electronic music group Deviations Project. He is best known as one of the 'world's fastest violinists', having broken the Guinness World Record for the fastest performance of the Flight of the Bumblebee. Lewis played the piece during a live broadcast on the BBC children's television programme Blue Peter, in October 2010, in one minute, 3.356 seconds. Lewis seemingly broke the world record again in February 2011, on the US chat show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His unofficial time of 47 seconds is yet to be certified by Guinness World Records.
Early life
Lewis was born in London, England. He began playing violin as an eight-year-old, having fallen in love with the sound of the first record he had heard;
Career
His professional career as a concert soloist began with the Bern Symphony Orchestra, before he joined the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra.[2]
Lewis created the electronic music group Deviations Project, with producer Dave Williams, in 2007. The group blends elements of classical and electronic music, on pieces such as Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Bizet's Carmen, which are recreated using modern music technology. They have released three albums: the eponymous Deviations Project (2007); The Ivory Bow (2008); and their Christmas 2008 album, Adeste Fiddles, which reached number 16 in the US Billboard Classical Crossover Albums Chart.[2][3]
He has featured in film and commercials; starring as the violinist in the car manufacturer Opel's Astra campaign; as the concert violinist in Marks & Spencer Christmas advertisements; and he recorded music for, and featured in, the 2004 British drama film written and directed by Charles Dance, Ladies in Lavender.[2][4]
Stage productions in which Lewis has appeared include the
Appearing on a live broadcast of the BBC children's television programme
Personal life
Lewis' fingers are insured for US$1 million; $100,000 per finger.[1] Insurance premium for the cover is $3,500 per month.[5]
References
- ^ a b c "World's Fastest Violinist Shows Off His Stuff". The Wall Street Journal website. New York. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Oliver Lewis Burr Media". Burr Media website. 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ "Adeste Fiddles - Deviations Project: Billboard.com". Billboard. 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ "YouTube: Oliver Lewis – "Opel Astra Ad Campaign". YouTube website. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c Greenburg, Zack O'Malley (8 February 2011), "Insuring the World's Fastest Fingers", Forbes, retrieved 10 February 2011
- ^ "Flight of the Bumblebee played in record time". BBC News website. London: BBC. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ "World's fastest violinist". Guild Music website. Guild GmbH. 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "YouTube: Oliver Lewis, World's Fastest Violinist on GMTV with Holly and Philip". YouTube website. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011 – via YouTube.