Virtuosos (8 talks)

Virtuoso Pamelia Kurstin performs and discusses her theremin, the not-just-for-sci-fi electronic instrument that is played without being touched. Songs include "Autumn Leaves," "Lush Life" and David Mash’s "Listen, Words Are Gone."

TED2002, Filmed Feb 2002, Posted Feb 2008

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Violinist Sirena Huang gives a technically brilliant and emotionally nuanced performance. In a charming interlude, the 11-year-old praises the timeless design of her instrument.

TED2006, Filmed Feb 2006, Posted Aug 2006

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Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on YouTube. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv.

TEDGlobal 2012, Filmed Jun 2012, Posted Jul 2012

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Violinist Natalie MacMaster and TED Musical Director Thomas Dolby play Dolby’s original song “Blue Is a River” in this ethereal duet -- with a little dancing.

TED2002, Filmed Feb 2002, Posted May 2007

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In this soaring demonstration, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie illustrates how listening to music involves much more than simply letting sound waves hit your eardrums.

TED2003, Filmed Feb 2003, Posted Apr 2007

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Folk musician and storyteller David Holt plays the banjo and shares photographs and old wisdom from the Appalachian Mountains. He also demonstrates some unusual instruments like the mouth bow -- and a surprising electric drum kit he calls "thunderwear."

TED2004, Filmed Mar 2004, Posted Dec 2008

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Kaki King, the first female on Rolling Stone's "guitar god" list, rocks out to a full live set at TED2008, including her breakout single, "Playing with Pink Noise." Jaw-dropping virtuosity meets a guitar technique that truly stands out.

TED2008, Filmed Mar 2008, Posted May 2009

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It's a master class in collaboration as violinist Robert Gupta and cellist Joshua Roman perform Halvorsen's "Passacaglia" for violin and viola. Roman takes the viola part on his Stradivarius cello. It's powerful to watch the two musicians connect moment to moment (and recover from a mid-performance hiccup). The two are both TED Fellows, and their deep connection powers this sparkling duet.

TED2011, Filmed Mar 2011, Posted May 2011

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