NEW YORK—Even after performing in prestigious venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and with orchestras from all over the world, Natalia Paruz does not forget where she started her musical career: on the streets of New York City. She can still be found there, in subway stations, producing an otherworldly sound from her saw.
Knowing exactly how to bend the saw to make a perfect tune requires not only physical strength, but also flawless musical hearing. When played, the saw bounces around like an acrobat or a ballerina. That dancing movement was what attracted Paruz to the saw, giving her an artistic tool after an accident terminated her dancing career.
Now, she teaches others how to play the saw and also organizes the New York Musical Saw Festival, attracting saw musicians from all over the world.
The Epoch Times: What is the most difficult piece you have played on the saw?
Natalia Paruz: My husband is a composer. When he writes for a saw, he insists to challenge me. He writes pieces that are not easy for a saw player. The saw wants to play lyrical music; it wants to play ballads. Fast-paced music is harder on the saw.
Epoch Times: Do you manage to make a living playing the saw?
Paruz: Yes. That is one of the reasons I like New York so much. There is a place here for everybody. It is not that it becomes crowded and then people say: “OK, we have too many pianists, we don’t have work for you.” Everyone that I know, somehow gets by here, finds his place.
I am forever grateful to the city of New York. Were it not for this city I would not have gotten to where I am. When I started, I never thought this would become a career; I did it for myself.
Epoch Times: How do you balance performing in the streets and in places like Carnegie Hall?
Paruz: It is important for me to perform in the streets. I enjoy it. It is very different than playing in Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center. When you play in a concert hall you are alone on the stage. You have [the] spotlight in your eyes; the audience is down there in the dark. You don’t even see them. You feel like you are playing to the air. When you play in the subway or in the streets, the audience is with you. You see their faces; you see their expressions change when they listen to you. They come up to talk to you, they ask you questions. The energy you get from it is just addictive.
Epoch Times: How do people react to this unusual instrument?
Paruz:Some people hurry up and they pass by without noticing. But there are enough people who do notice. Most reactions are of amazement and wonder. Many people hear me before they see me. They tell me they thought it was a singer. They come to look for the singer and they see me. It is weird for them. Some do not believe the sound comes from the saw. They put they ears close to the saw to hear it, or they ask me to play without the accompanying piano music. It makes people smile. Visually it is a bit funny and it is a sound that people do not expect. It opens people up. People walk up to me to talk about the music, but then they open up and start talking about themselves or their family. Many times I am acting as a psychologist.
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