This interview dates back to 2006. Hilary is about three years younger than I am, so at the time she was 26 or 27. (Her birthday is in November. And I was a very enthusiastic follower once upon a time.)
Girl does most of her touring in Europe, so it makes sense that she knows how to speak French. And German. But French here. Skip over this entry if you wish. The interviewer and she speak slowly enough for me to understand most of their conversation. It’s great how she’s not ashamed to ask about a word she doesn’t know. I love how in part two she avoids using the word email and goes for its purer form, (un) courriel. L’Académie would be proud.
Also, the Paganini/Spohr is a great album.
Vodpod videos no longer available.Hilary Hahn – Interview in French Part 1, posted with vodpod
A Little Thinking 
May, she does this when she’s speaking German as well, even though she’s more fluent with that language. 🙂
I have to say I’m impressed with how much time she’s given to learning languages, AND she plays the violin! Wonder how much sleep she gets.
It’s one of the perks of being gifted, especially musically, where the same region of the brain that processes music also processes language. She’s able to pick up patterns and associations very easily, since she’s been able to do that from her precocious, formative years in music.
Jerk.
Hey, I hope you’re kidding with the jerk remark! There have been quite a few classical musicians that spoke more than one language before Hilary, it’s no reason to hate on her. Yes, I feel inadequate since all I know is a few words and I count to 10 in German, but I don’t hate her for it.
Of course I’m kidding. Why would I hate on someone for making the world a better place? I wrongly assumed you knew my sarcasm.
I haven’t really known you long enough to know it, May, so, my apologies if I came off loud to you just then. I agree that Hilary makes the world a better place. 🙂