We’re here with famed violinist Janine Jansen, who was the umpire behind the plate in the 2020 Scarriet World Historical Poetry Baseball opening day game between the Broadcasters and the Codes on the island of Corsica. Welcome, Janine.
Thank you. It’s nice to be here in Corsica. And it’s stopped raining (laughter).
Janine, you’re a world class musician. What’s it like calling balls and strikes in poetry?
Well, I think poetry and music are related. Very much so. I do like baseball. Even though I’m from the Netherlands.
Ah, you’ve told me a lot already…
(Blushing) Yes…it’s confusing sometimes…I just play the violin…that’s all I do, really…and yet life is so rich in so many other ways…I don’t have time to…
Well, you are one of the greatest violinists and interpreters of classical music in the history of classical music.
Thank you.
Did you meet Napoleon?
Very briefly. The umpires are not allowed—
Of course. As most people know, Napoleon owns and runs the Corsica team…But to get back to my question—it must be a lot of pressure…to call balls and strikes…it can make a difference in the game…
Calling balls and strikes in poetry is different from calling balls and strikes in baseball.
How so?
It’s hard to put into words.
The call in the second inning, when Bobby Burns of the Broadcasters walked—
I know. Some fans thought it was a strike. It was a good pitch by Homer. It was. But it wasn’t a strike. (smiling)
Maybe in digital terms it was a strike. But not in the concert hall?
I like that. Very good. (laughter)
I just watched the 2010 documentary, “Janine,” and one of your musical partners calls you, as a musician, a “great conversationalist…”
I think I remember that. (laughter) I like the documentary, but it was very hard to make…it made me more self-conscious than I already am!…this magazine was interviewing me in the documentary…it was self-conscious on top of self-conscious….one is already in a fishbowl as a….what am I? (laughter) a classical soloist…I’m only comfortable, really, with…the music…
It was interesting to hear that you play with a full orchestra as if you are playing in a quartet—a colleague said you “listen” to the other musicians…
My family are musicians, and that’s how I started, playing in small groups, and I love that…even though it’s also exciting to play with great orchestras, famous conductors….but it’s a lot more travel and work…
I imagine. The documentary brought that out…
Yes. Anyway….Music isn’t just playing, it’s also…listening…
You’re a gift to the world. And we—everyone—appreciates your hard work, your recordings of Britten, Beethoven, Bach…
Thank you.
And that listening quality…it makes you a great umpire…
It’s an honor to serve…So many great poets…
And musicians. Artists like you make one realize that music is a “conversation” And for that reason music is…poetry.
I don’t read a lot of poetry…but you’re right.
There are rumors that Beethoven might be recruited to be a starting pitcher for one of the Scarriet Poetry Baseball teams this season…
Oh! You better not do that (nervous laughter)…please… (laughter, embarrassment)
Some teams need starting pitchers…to compete with T.S. Eliot, Homer Goethe…
I wouldn’t be able to be…objective. Beethoven… Can that be true?—
That’s all we have time for. It’s a very long season.
Yes, and it’s all over the world!
Janine Jansen, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much, Janine.
Thank you, Scarriet!
(off mike) Marla! would you show Janine out?