A while ago, the U of M symphony orchestra performed its latest concert, Poèmes sans paroles, on campus. It featured 20th century compositions by Violet Archer and Ruth Gipps while also highlighting the many talents of the Desautels faculty of music. The concert included Materia for Orchestra, a piece by composition student Tamir Moore-Freedman, as well as a performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor by Amir Bissen, a violinist and one of the faculty’s graduate students. In an email, Bissen said the concert was special because it gave him the opportunity to perform as a soloist in front of the symphony orchestra after winning the faculty’s concerto competition last year.

For those unfamiliar with classical music, Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor is one of the most celebrated violin concertos of all time. Completed in 1845, it is known for its unforgettable opening main theme and virtuosic cadenza. Performing this piece in any formal setting is an immense testament to one’s dedication to music.

Bissen said he has played the concerto many times, each performance reflecting his musical growth over the years.

“What I love most about the Mendelssohn’s violin concerto is its deeply personal nature every time I play it. The melodies are warm and familiar, almost like hearing a voice from the past. I have carried this piece with me for years, and each time I return to it, it evokes memories of my growth as a musician,” he wrote.

“There’s a nostalgic yet vibrant energy in the music that reminds me of why I fell in love with the violin in the first place. Playing it now feels like sharing a part of myself with the audience, which is both humbling and exciting.”

Bissen’s musical journey began at a young age. He grew up in a deeply musical household, where music was more than a passion — it was a way of life.

“My grandfather was a self-taught violinist, and my grandmother was an amateur singer. Their passion for music was passed down to their children — four out of seven became professional musicians, including my mother. She is a highly accomplished pianist and is currently an eminent piano teacher based in Mumbai, India,” he explained

Bissen made his debut with the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra at age seven and by 12, had earned a scholarship to study at the Purcell School for Young Musicians in England. He later completed his bachelor’s degree at the Royal College of Music in London and went on to earn accolades in competitions across England and beyond.

Bissen moved to Winnipeg to start his master’s degree at U of M under Oleg Pokhanovski, an award-winning violinist and professor who has performed in over 2,000 concerts as a soloist. Bissen currently teaches nine music students at the university and regularly collaborates with colleagues for performances.

“I am currently planning a concert that will involve a collaboration with students from the art department […] This aligns with the new vision of Dr. Stephen Runge, our new dean, who mentioned in his interview the exciting possibility of fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between the school of art and the Desautels faculty of music. I am truly looking forward to working with him and excited about the opportunities his leadership will bring to both departments!”

For more performances by students and faculty at the Desautels faculty of music, visit umanitoba.ca/music/performances-lectures.