I love it when people break stereotypes. Growing up, I was taught that classical music was the best and only kind of music. Fiddle, rock, and jazz were sub-par, played for fun, but that no serious musician would do it for a living. Luckily, that mindset has changed. Fiddle, folk, and bluegrass (among many other styles) are no longer seen as an inferior art to be played by those who can't play classical. It was such a relief to me. And in my journey to learn beyond classical, I have found many of the best classical musicians do other things as well. Lara St. John does amazing unaccompanied Bach, but also plays in a polka band, Rachel Barton Pine can perform all of Paganini's 24 caprices in a single concert series, but also plays heavy metal, and even Yo-Yo Ma can crack out a folk tune or two.
Take the Mad Violinist, who I stumbled across on youtube during my usual weekly search for inspiration. I immediately loved his soulful rendition of the theme for the newest James Bond, Skyfall. His ability on the violin is undeniable, as is his passion. It's not classical, but it's brilliant nonetheless.
