Statement:
The information in this section has been carefully put together in order to
reflect all important events in Vanessa-Mae's life and career. It is meant to
show how much she has done and achieved in her life so far at a very young age
already. I sincerely apologise to Vanessa-Mae for any false, incorrect or
otherwise incomplete information that this section may held that she may
consider as annoying. I will correct, adjust or remove any of such information
on Vanessa-Mae's instigation, or instigation made on her behalf, on the shortest
possible notice.
To all other readers, please send me an email if you find any incorrectness in the information below,
or if you have knowledge of facts or any other information that you
consider that should be added to this section. Moreover, feedback of any kind
will be much appreciated.
Rijko Ebens
October 27, 2006, Vanessa-Mae celebrates
her 28th birthday
Vanessa-Mae becomes 28 years of age and celebrates her birthday together
with Lionel, family and friends.
May 13th 2006,
Vanessa-Mae performs in Geneva to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society For
Children Home
Vanessa-Mae participates with a free concert in an event organised by the
International Red Cross (ICRC) to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society For
Children Home.
May 9th 2006,
Vanessa-Mae attends a party to celebrate the launch of the new Audi TT Coupe,
Audi's latest sport car
Vanessa-Mae attends at a party organised by Audi car in the UK to celebrate
the launch of their latest sports car, the Audi TT Coupe. Audi Cars UK invited
Vanessa-Mae being a distinguished Audi driver and known to possesses several
Audi models together with her friend Lionel Catalan - see the
Audi Magazine, December
2004.
The photos below show Vanessa-Mae at the party posing with the new Audi TT Coupe and with Darcey Bussel, Principal Ballerina at the Royal Ballet of the Royal Opera House in London. At the party, Vanessa-Mae wears blue jeans, a short to her midriff buttoned brown tight jacked with a white T-shirt reaching below the jacket yet leaving her belly button exposed. Vanessa-Mae has her long hair hanging free on her back and over her shoulders. Vanessa-Mae's bright red painted lips form a striking mark in her beautiful visage that has fine natural looks as result of the sober make-up that she has as her facewear.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
May 4th 2006
Vanessa-Mae donates her electric violin that she used for her 'Strom On World
Tour' to an auction to raise money for International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG,
www.ibcsg.com)
and the Breast Cancer Haven
(www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk).
Vanessa-Mae donates the electric violin that
she used for recording and for her 'Storm On World Tour' concerts to an auction
in order to raise money for the International Breast Cancer Study Group and the
Brest Cancer Haven charities.
Vanessa-Mae regularly takes part in charity work to help financing charity organisations active in the struggle against cancer in general and breast cancer in particular. Vanessa-Mae lost family members to cancer herself and this charity goal are always close to her heart.
The photo below shows Vanessa-Mae handing over the signed violin to the auction organisers.
The auction will be held on May 14th.
April 21st 2006,
Sunday Times names Vanessa-Mae as richest young entertainer, and she is
ranked 10th in the overall list for young people under 30 in the UK
The Sunday Times ranks Vanessa-Mae as the richest young
entertainer in the UK.
According to the rich list for entertainers under 30, Vanessa-Mae possess an
estimated fortune of £32 million (Euro 46 million) that she earned from record
sales and concert performances. Moreover, Vanessa-Mae is a new entry on the 10th
position in the overall list for young (under 30) richest people in the UK. Second
on the list for young entertainers comes Kiera Chaplin, the 23-year-old
Belfast-born granddaughter of comic actor Charlie Chaplin.
See the following official news release of the Sunday Times:
Sunday Times names Vanessa-Mae as richest young entertainer in the UK
March 18th-21st 2006
, Vanessa-Mae participates in 'wild Girls On Snow' to help raise money for the
struggle against breast cancer
Vanessa-Mae visits Switzerland, accompanied by
her friend Lionel Catalan, to participate in the annual 'Wild Girls
On Snow,' a heavily sponsored skiing event to raise money for
charity held in Klosters, Switzerland from March 18th to March 21st. The
money raised this year goes to the struggle against breast cancer, a beneficiary that
comes close to Vanessa-Mae's heart since she lost family members to cancer
herself. The website of
'Wild Girls On Snow'
presents many information of the event varying from basic facts, the official
program, an extensive picture gallery and an overview of attention for the event
in the media. Four photos of Vanessa-Mae are present on the website and
these are shown below.
The first 3 photos from the left below are available at the galleries; the very nice photo on the far right is shown in Blick magazine. Vanessa-Mae is shown having fun in skiing outfit with a colleague participant, the after skiing events at two consecutive evenings, and during a diner. Noticeable is Vanessa-Mae's varied wardrobe and always perfectly and nicely made up visage. At these after ski events, Vanessa-Mae was dressed (from left to right) in free fitting sleeveless blouse in black and white striped design without back part but bowed at her back, a fine strapless top in black Chinese silk with her button belly exposed, and a very fine light purple silk blouse with subtle black flower design print (click thumbnails to view larger images).
January 26th 2006,
Vanessa-Mae performs a live concert in Athens, Greece at the Arena Oaka.
Vanessa-Mae brings her 'Choreography' tour of concerts to Greece as follow
up to her recent visit in September 2005. She plays live at the arena Oaka in
Athens.
January 1st 2006,
Vanessa-Mae highlights the opening ceremony of Fisherman's wharf in Macao
Vanessa-Mae plays a special diner concert on New Years day 2006 to highlight
the opening ceremony of 'The
Fisherman's Wharf' in Macao.
October 27th 2005,
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 27th birthday and receives presents from her best
fans
Vanessa-Mae becomes 27 years of age. Vanessa-Mae
receives a 'CAREER DECLARATION' from her best fans at the
'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum' to
congratulate her for her 27th birthday, and to commemorate that one decade has
passed since the release of her debut pop album of 'The Violin Player' and to
honour her for all achievements since then.
September 12th 2005, Vanessa-Mae plays at the 40th Dimitria Festival in
Thessaloniki
Vanessa-Mae performs in Thessaloniki, Greece at the 40th Dimitria Festival
For Music held in the Earth Theatre. The photos below show Vanessa-Mae during
her concert and during a press conference that day.
July 7th 2005,
Vanessa-Mae plays live at the Henley-On-Thames music & arts festival
On the day of the bomb attacks
on London, Vanessa-Mae performs at the Music & Arts festival in Henley-On-Thames,
west of London in the county of Oxfordshire. At her concert, Vanessa-Mae
looks absolutely gorgeous dressed in her famous 'Destiny' top of leather straps
wrapped around her upper body and a simple blue jeans. Her face wear consists of
covering foundation crème with a finishing touch of soft pink blush on her
cheeks, light red lipstick, and dazzling eye make-up with lots of black mascara,
black liner and bright blue shadow filling the space from her upper lid all the
way to her brows that shows spectacular when wide-eyed. The distinctness of
Vanessa-Mae's magnificent make up is even strengthened because her beautiful
long black hair is tied together out of her face on her back. The two photos
below are available at 'Music
Pictures' (click the thumbnails to see larger images), and especially
the photo on the right shows Vanessa-Mae's visage with her eyes widened and the
make-up clearly in all the spectacular details. More photos of this series are
available at the website of 'Rosie
Hartnell.'
The small photos below were also taken at the Henley-On-Thames' festival and are copyright of 'Rex Features.' To find the photos of Vanessa-Mae do a search on 'Vanessa Mae' (omit the hyphen in Vanessa-Mae to have more search results returned).






June 16th 2005, Vanessa-Mae appears in a television show broadcasted by the
German channel 1 ARD
This evening, German television channel 1 ARD broadcasted a show program dealing
with the best hits of the past 50 years in Germany. Vanessa-Mae is seen as one
of the most successful instrumentalists of this period. Vanessa-Mae appeared in
the show and played 'The Havana Slide' from her album 'Choreography' on acoustic
violin. Vanessa-Mae looked fabulous and awesome as always. She was wearing a
pink short dress and a strapless top in the same colour, she had open shoes with
very high heels. Her wonderful long black hair was tied in a ponytail to her
back. Vanessa-Mae was made up with impeccable foundation, lots of black mascara
and shadow in dark purple on her eyelids in various grades to light pink almost
up to her eye brows. Vanessa-Mae looked absolutely superb. I taped the show and
will make the video available this weekend through the
'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum.'
June 15th 2005, Vanessa-Mae plays live in Ljubjana,
Slovenia
Vanessa-Mae performs in a live concert at a music festival in Ljubjana,
Slovenia.
June
14th 2005, Vanessa-Mae plays live in concert at the ATP Delta Tour of Champions
NOVI Classics tennis tournament in Novi Vinodolski, Croatia.
Vanessa-Mae plays live in concert as part of the supporting program during
the ATP Delta tennis tournament for seniors in Novi Vinodolski, Croatia. The
photo below was made by Mr. Damir Senèar ('http://www.sencar.hr').
I kindly thank him for granted his permission to show the photo here.
May
26th 2005, Vanessa-Mae did not win the award for album of the year
Vanessa-Mae did not win the award for album of the year at the annual
'Classical Brit Awards' held in the Royal Albert Hall. The award did go to
Katherine Jenkins for her album 'Second Nature.'
May
12th 2005, Vanessa-Mae performs at an exclusive live show in the London Royal
Albert Hall
Vanessa-Mae performs in an exclusive live show in the Royal Albert Hall in
London. For the show of this evening, Vanessa-Mae wears a flimsy green top, blue
jeans and white shoes with no high heels. Also, Vanessa-Mae wears, as is
clearly visible on the photos below, heavy make-up on her face. The copyright of
the photos belongs to
'Getty Images.'
April 6th 2005, Vanessa-Mae arrives at Singapore Changi Airport and will perform
at a special diner concert on April 7th.
Vanessa-Mae arrives on April 6th at Changi Airport in Singapore. Vanessa-Mae
mingles with fans and people awaiting her arrival and she talks to the press.
Thanking them, she expressed joy at returning to Singapore, her birthplace and
home till she was three. By mingling with admires, Vanessa-Mae cooperates with
Changi Airport project to have arriving celebrities meet up with other airport
visitors and people specially awaiting them.
'Vanessa-Mae arrives at Singapore Changi Airport'
I express my thanks to Dave for submitting the
poster (left) to me, click the poster to view a larger image.
April
5th 2005, Vanessa-Mae performs in a benefit concert in Thailand to raise aid for
tsunami victims.
Vanessa-Mae gives a benefit concert in the Thailand Cultural Centre in
Bangkok in order to raise money for the relief of the tsunami victims. The funds
raised will be donated to the 'Doctors Without Borders,' a Red Cross summer camp
for Thai youngsters affected by the tsunami tragedy, and to 'The Human
Development Foundation,' a local charity project. Vanessa-Mae reminds
specifically that "It is our responsibility to spread the word about the
needs of the tsunami victims" and she adds "It's not just the impact in
January and February, but in the ensuing months, to help people rebuild their
lives."
March
31st to April 11th 2005, Vanessa-Mae visits Asia and Australia for her
'Choreography Tour' of concerts and promotion
Vanessa-Mae visits Asia and Australia to do promotion and concerts for the
'Choreography Tour.' In this period, she gives concerts in Taipeh (Taiwan),
Seoul (South Korea), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China)
and Sydney (Australia). See for details the 'Tour
dates of Vanessa-Mae' section of this website. The concert on
April 5th in Bangkok marks Vanessa-Mae's benefit contribution for the Tsunami
relief.
March
2005, Vanessa-Mae's 'Choreography' nominated for album of the year
Vanessa-Mae's 'Choreography' is among the nominees for album of the year at
this years Classical Brit Awards, Classic FM Radio and Classic FM Magazine
announce. The 'album of the year' award is the only price awarded to the
decision of the public. Submitting your vote is possible via the following link:
March 6th to March 10th 2005, Vanessa-Mae visits Russia for her 'Choreography
Tour'
Vanessa-Mae visits Russia to do 4 concerts for her 'Choreography Tour.' The
shows take place in St Petersburg, Moscow, Samara and Ekaterinburg on 6th, 7th,
8th and 10th of March. See the 'Tour dates of
Vanessa-Mae' section. The photos below Vanessa-Mae in Sint Petersburg
during her concert and at gathering immediately afterwards (2 top lines) and in
Ekaterinburg on March 9th during the show and during an informal activity
wearing glasses and a warm winter coat with wool scarf (bottom line). The
close-ups of Vanessa-Mae after the St Petersburg concert show her impeccable
made up visage, still even after the demanding concert.
February 8th
till February 17th 2005,
Vanessa-Mae on 'Choreography' tour in Germany and Switzerland
Vanessa-Mae starts her 'Choreography' tour in Europe with a concert in
Dresden. The first part of the tour brings her in Germany and Switzerland. For the dates and venues, see the tour section
of this website at:
An extensive review on Vanessa-Mae's concert in Dresden with photos is available on this website at:
'Vanessa-Mae live in Dresden (2005)'
January
25th 2005, Vanessa-Mae visits New York to promote her new album; Vanessa-Mae
announces that the US-release of 'Choreography' can be expected in April 2005
Vanessa-Mae announces in her comments to the present members of the
'The Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum'
'Choreography' will be released in the USA in April 2005. She visits New York in
January to do some pre-release promotion and will return in April to do a
showcase and further promotion. Vanessa-Mae's full comments are available in the
Fans Forum in a special topic, see:
'Topic on Vanessa-Mae's comments to her birthday present'
January
10th 2005, Vanessa-Mae is ranked 11th by 'Good Housekeeping Magazine' in a list
of most influential and inspiring black and Asian women in the UK
Vanessa-Mae is ranked 11th in a list of 20 most influential and inspiring
women in the UK of African and Asian descent. All these women are hugely
successful and are an inspiration to others by their achievements. Comic actress
and writer Meera Syal is ranked 1st. An internet newspaper mentions the lists in
their January 10th edition, see
December 12th 2004, Vanessa-Mae tells about her driver's license that she
received in 2004
Vanessa-Mae receives her driver's license somewhere in 2004. She tells about
it. Today, Vanessa-Mae owns two cars, an Audi S4 Avant and a Lotus Elise. See
fort he report the following link:
'Vanessa-Mae tells about her driver's license'
2004
December 8th, Now magazine publishes an interview with Vanessa-Mae in their
December issue
Vanessa-Mae is interviewed by Now magazine in their December issue.
Vanessa-Mae talks about the relation with her mother:
''I still want a mother-and-daughter relationship. I just don't want my mum as my manager''
Vanessa-Mae also explains that her friend Lionel had no idea who she when they first met in Val D'Isere during skiing holidays. Alarming is Vanessa-Mae when Vanessa-Mae confesses that David Martin, who stalked her for about a decade, wrote to the 'Royal Festival Hall' shortly before her concert on October 21st. Police was present during the show to arrest David Martin might he show up. In such event, David Martine faces many years imprisonment for breaking a court order to stay away from Vanessa-Mae. See the following links to see and read scans of the article:
'Vanessa-Mae talks to Now Magazine'
2004
December 6th, Vanessa-Mae is in Seoul, South Korea, to promote Choreography
Vanessa-Mae arrives in Seoul on Sunday December 5th for her tour in Asia to
promote the new album 'Choreography.' On Monday December 6th, Vanessa-Mae acts
at a press conference with answering questions and playing music from her new
album 'Choreography.'
'Vanessa-Mae talks at her press conference in Seoul'
The photos above show Vanessa-Mae at her press conference in Seoul, talking and answering question (top row) and performing form the new album (second row). For this event, Vanessa-Mae wears dark blue jeans and a low cut light green top that is shine through on her belly level. The colours of her clothes contrast nicely with her face wear that consists of make-up with pastel coloured eye shadow and her light red painted lips in her perfectly complexioned visage.
Vanessa-Mae explains at
her press conference that with 'Choreography,' she was looking for something
more alive and organic this time: ''That’s how this album came to being. I
wanted to do something more traditional _ minuets, boleros, tangos and so on. I
wanted to do numbers that people really think of as dance music with the
violin.’’
2004
December 4th, Vanessa-Mae performs at the 41st Golden Horse Festival Awards
Vanessa-Mae performs in Taipeh at the prestigious 41st Golden Horse festival
Awards. The Golden Horse Awards are equivalent to thwe Oscars for Chinese
language movies. The photo below shows Vanessa-Mae at her arrival on the 'Star
Boulevard.' (click to view full size photo)
2004
December 3rd, Vanessa-Mae promotes her new album 'Choreography' in Taipeh,
Taiwan
Vanessa-Mae is in Taiwan to promote her new album 'Choreography. She plays
from her new album in a special event organised for press and media. See the
following link:
'Vanessa-Mae performing to promote Choreography'
Wearing a wonderful half long light blue dress and light purple knee-high boots with high heels and having eye shadow with a touch a light purple tone in it, Vanessa-Mae acted in her usual balanced and pleasant way of presentation (see thumbnails above, click to see larger photos).
2004 December 2nd, Vanessa-Mae is in Taipeh
and she will perform at the 41st Golden Horse Film Festival Awards on December
4th.
Vanessa-Mae is in Asia to promote her new album 'Choreography.' See the
photos below where Vanessa-Mae shows her wonderful dress that she will wear at
the event. Nice is also the dark green low-cut top with shine-through lower part
that Vanessa-Mae is wearing over her dark jeans. Note also that Vanessa-Mae's
excessive red lipstick accentuates the wideness of her mouth and the fullness of
her lips in her
perfectly made up visage.
(click thumbnail to see larger image)
2004 November, 'Roxanne's
Veil,' composed by Vangelis for Vanessa-Mae' new album 'Choreography,' is part
of the soundtrack for Oliver Stone's movie 'Alexander
'Roxanne's Veil,' composed by Vangelis for Vanessa-Mae's new album
'Choreography,' is part of the sound track for Oliver Stone's epic movie
'Alexander.' Vangelis is composer for the entire music to support the movie. See
the following link:
'Alexander soundtrack website'
'Alexander' saw the world premiere on November 16th in Los Angeles.
2004 November 21st,
Vanessa-Mae joins 'Musik Fur Millionen' show of the German ZDF television
channel
Vanessa-Mae plays 'Sabre Dance' during 'Musik Fur Millionen' organised and
televised by the German channel ZDF. The show is a fund raising to support
research in order to cure cancer, and to facilitate treatment for people
suffering the disease. Vanessa-Mae donates Euro 500 for this charity purpose.
Vanessa-Mae plays her transparent 'Ted Brewer' violin during this show, wearing a wonderful light yellowish short dress with decorating embroidery all over, her hair is hanging loose on her back and heavy make-up as face wear with an immaculate complexion, fine purple to grey fading eye shadow and really beautiful pink lips, see the thumbnails above (click to see larger images).
2004 November 19th,
Vanessa-Mae participates in the annual campaign 'Children In Need' organised by
the BBC
Vanessa-Mae performs during the BBC show in Belfast to support the nation
wide campaign to raise money for 'Children In Need.' Vanessa-Mae also does the
co-hosting of the first hour of the seven hour lasting show on BBC in Northern
Ireland. The following two photos show Vanessa-Mae during her performance and as
co-host (click thumbnails to view larger images).
'Children In Need' is an annual campaign organised by the BBC to raise money for children in the UK. The campaign this year rendered over 17 million pounds.
2004 October, Vanessa-Mae
participates in a charity campaign to raise money for the struggle against
breast cancer
The October issue of the EVE magazine reports on a campaign supported
by celebrities to raise money to support the ongoing research to cure breast
cancer and to support the struggle so many women have to fight against this
disease. Vanessa-Mae joins this campaign because she experienced herself the
trauma of loosing dear relatives in premature death caused by cancer. Both
Vanessa-Mae's grandfathers died as a result of cancer. See the
following link for a scan of the short article on Vanessa-Mae's involvement:
'Vanessa-Mae on her participation in the campaign against breast cancer'
In the short article, Vanessa-Mae explains why she joined the campaign against breast cancer. She also tells what the glamour of being a celebrity means to her. She explains that she is a self-introvert and that the glamour of beautiful clothes and wearing make-up helped her to build up her self-confidence.
2004 October 30th,
Vanessa-Mae's new album enters the Classic FM chart on #2
The week immediately after its release, Vanessa-Mae's new album
'Choreography' enters the Classic FM chart on #2
2004 October 29th, Sony
launches the new official website for Vanessa-Mae
The new official website for Vanessa-Mae is launched by Sony. See the link
below:
'Official Vanessa-Mae website'
2004 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 26th birthday
Vanessa-Mae becomes 26 years of age. An event that she celebrates together
with Lionel, close friends and family. She receives a present with greeting
cards from her best fans of the
'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum.'
2004 October 21st,
Vanessa-Mae highlights and promotes her new album 'Choreography' in a special
concert held in the London Royal Festival Hall
Vanessa-Mae performs in a special sold out concert in the London Royal
Festival Hall in order to promote her new album 'Choreography.' After the
concert, she signs her new album in the foyer of the concert venue. An thankful
and enthusiastic audience celebrates the return of the amazing and unique artist
to the live stage after a pause of almost 2 years. Vanessa-Mae shows all her
technical abilities and charming personality in a highly motivated performance
to present the public a memorable evening. See the link below for photos of the
show and signing session. A full review with photos is available at:
'Vanessa-Mae live in The Royal Festival Hall'
2004, October 20th,
Vanessa-Mae interviewed by 'This Is
London Magazine' of October 20th
Vanessa-Mae talks about her new album in an interview with 'This Is London'
magazine published on the eve of her RFH conert in London. She confesses to have
been scared and freaked out because Prince asked her to do a jam session with
him for an experimental jazz album titled 'Xpectation.'
This session marked the first improvisatory experience for Vanessa-Mae. Up till
then, Vanessa-Mae, as classical trained musician, was only used to playing music
from scores, and this way of operating was new to her. She admits: 'I just
couldn't keep up.'
In this interview, Vanessa-Mae has an answer to her critics. She explains: 'If people can't put image and sales to one side and admit that I can actually play, then I think it is their problem. It does become my problem to a certain extent because it hampers what the public actually think of you.'
2004 October 18th,
Vanessa-Mae's new album 'Choreography released in the UK
Vanessa-Mae's new
album 'Choreography' is released in the UK. Vanessa-Mae will perform on Thursday
October 21st in the
Royal Festival Hall a special concert to highlight and promote her debut
recording on the Sony Classical label.
2004 September 19th,
Announcement of 'Choreography tour dates for Germany
Vanessa-Mae will tour
in Germany in 2005 to promote and support her new album. The dates announced so
far are:
08.02.2005 Kulturpalast,
Dresden; 09.02.2005 Stadthalle, Braunschweig; 10.02.2005 Tempodrom, Berlin;
12.02.2005 Mozartsaal, Mannheim; 14.02.2005 Hegelsaal, Stuttgart; 15.02.2005
Festspielhaus, Baden Baden;
16.02.2005 Alte Oper, Frankfurt
2004 September 9-20th,
Choreography released in Asia and Europe
Vanessa-Mae releases her new album Choreography throughout Europe and Asia.
In her home country, The United kingdom, fans have to wait till October 18th.
2004 September 8th,
Vanessa-Mae speaks briefly about the terror of being stalked
Vanessa-Mae speaks out for the first time during a short interview televised
by ITV on September 8th. She tells that she realised that she had to call the
help on the police when the stalker tried to contact her directly and speak to
her when she was walking her dog or when she was out with friends. See the
following link to a report:
ITN report on the interview with Vanessa-Mae
2004 August 24th, Vanessa-Mae's
stalker free after serving his time on remand
David Martin is sentenced to his time already served on remand for harassing
and stalking Vanessa-Mae for more than a decade and violating a court order to
ban him from London and approaching her. The case is reported in newspaper media
in the UK extensively. The following articles in pdf format serve as examples:
2004 August 10th, Vanessa-Mae's
new album 'Choreography' scheduled for European release
Vanessa-Mae's new album 'Choreography' is set for release in Europe on
September 6th. The actual release in various parts in Europe may vary a little,
but will be around this UK release on the 6th.
2004 August 5th, Vanessa-Mae's
stalker to be sentenced on August 24th.
The court in London announces that the man who stalked Vanessa-Mae for many
years and violated orders to stop his harassing her and stay away from her
vicinity will be sentenced on August 24th.
2004 July 10-11, Vanessa-Mae makes a 2 day visit to the Formula 1 racing
track in Silverstone to experience the power of F1 circus
Vanessa-Mae pays a 2 day visit to Silverstone racing track to
experience the mood and excitement of a Formula 1 event. This was already her
3rd visit to a F1 track. On March 4 1999 when she highlighted
'the opening gala for that year season' with a
concert, combined with a 2nd visit. Her first visit took place in 1998 when
Vanessa-Mae collaborated with F1 driver Hakinnen together with fashion designer
Jean-Paul Gaultier in the promotion campaign 'Get
Inspired' for the new Siemens mobile phone. Ever since the first 2
visits, Vanessa-Mae has many fans, friends and acquaintances in the Formula 1
world.
The photos below show Vanessa-Mae during the 2 day visit to Silverstone. The photo on the left shows Vanessa-Mae walking around at a test location. The two photos in the middle show Vanessa-Mae in concentration following the events on the day of the race, looking gorgeous wearing natural make-up with some powder, mascara, red lipstick and fine earrings that come elegantly from underneath her long black hair. The photo on the right shows Vanessa-Mae in excitement during the race.
2004 June 26th, Announcement that Vanessa-Mae will give a
concert in the London Royal Festival Hall on October 21st 2004
Vanessa-Mae will give a concert in The Royal Festival Hall in London on
Thursday October 21st to mark the release of her new album 'Choreography' that
will go on sale in the UK on Monday October 18th.
2004 May 26th, Vanessa-Mae plays 'Sabre
Dance' at the 5th annual Classical Brit Awards
Vanessa-Mae performs live as the opening act at the 5th annual Classical Brit Awards
in the London Royal Albert Hall where she played 'Sabre Dance' from her new
album. Wearing a wonderful silvery dress with square and circle shaped
embroideries in various colours and her visage perfectly covered with a very
visible heavy make-up and striking full red lipstick, Vanessa-Mae successfully caught
the attention, not only with her music, but also with her looks and appearance
of the audience, media and she brought her fans in real ecstasy with her
performance and presentation.
2004 May 18th, Sony
launches an announcement website and opens an artist message board
A single page message at 'The
Official Vanessa-Mae website' is launched to announce that
the site will be activated on short notice. A message board for Vanessa-Mae is
activated already and can be entered via the following link:
'Official Vanessa-Mae message board'
2004 May 15th,
Vanessa-Mae performs on Madeira Island
Vanessa-Mae performs in Funchal Madeira Island as invited guest to mark the
fact that Madeira is European Region of the year 2004.
2004 May, Vanessa-Mae and Lionel celebrate their 5th anniversary of their relation
2004 April 21st,
Vanessa-Mae appears at the 'Classical Brit Awards' nomination ceremony
Vanessa-Mae performs 'Bach Street Prelude' at the nomination ceremony for
the 'Classical Brit Awards' in the London Regent Hotel.
2004 March, Official
website closed
EMI Music has closes the old official website. The vanessa-mae.com domain
is transferred to Sony Classics.
2004 Early March, Sony
Classics announces that Vanessa-Mae joins Sony
Sony Classics announces in a special press release they signed famous
violinist Vanessa-Mae. The press release states that Vanessa-Mae is currently
finishing her first recording, described as:
an
all-new album of music inspired by dance rhythms from cultures around the
world.
Executive producer for the new recording is Rob Dickins, who has worked with
such names as Cher, Enya,
Rod Stewart and The Pretenders. Highlights include new music by Oscar winning
composer Vangelis,
Riverdance’s Bill Whelan and A R Rahman, the acclaimed Indian film composer who
wrote the upcoming
Broadway musical Bombay Dreams. The recording will be released internationally
in September with the
U.S. release following in early 2005.
Vanessa-Mae will play music form her new album for the first time at the 'Classical Brit Awards' on May 26th in 'The Royal Albert Hall, London.
2004 March 9th,
Vanessa-Mae again stalked
The Sun reports on March 9th that the stalker violated the restrictions
imposed on him by court order. He is again arrested and he will have to appear
before court again. In the meantime, he is banned from London only allowed to
enter the city to consult with his lawyer or to appear before court.
2003 October-December,
Vanessa-Mae being stalked
Vanessa-Mae has to undergo the enormous impact of being harassed by a
stalker. The man has been harassing Vanessa-Mae periodically for many years. He
monitors her movements in a diary and delivers hand written love letters to her
home. He is arrested and convicted by court the day before Christmas to never
contact Vanessa-Mae again directly, at concerts or even via a fan club.
2003 November,
Vanessa-Mae now signed to Sony Classics
In her 'thank you all' note to her online fan community, Vanessa-Mae tells
exclusively to her best fans that she is now signed to Sony Classics. The
transfer from EMI to Sony has not been communicated to the media yet.
2003 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae becomes 25 years of age
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 25th birthday with family and friends. The online
Vanessa-Mae fan community sends her a special Barbie Doll as birthday present
because she had admitted in an interview this summer that she never had a Barbie
Doll as a child. She receives 'Heartstring Barbie' a special issue equipped with
a violin.
2003 September,
Vanessa-Mae: 'The Ultimate' released in Europe and Asia
In September 2003, EMI releases yet another collection album titled
'Vanessa-Mae: The Ultimate.'
2003 June 28th,
Vanessa-Mae performs at the opening gala for the 'Cape Town International
Convention Centre,' where she also joins the stage with South African star
Sibongile Khumalo.
Vanessa-Mae participates in the opening festive of 'The Cape Town
International Convention Centre' (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa. During the
evening, she also joins the stage with South African star Sibongile Khumalo.
Many dignitaries, including President Thabo Mbeki, attend the evening.
2003 May 22nd,
Vanessa-Mae at the Classical Brit Awards
Vanessa-Mae presents the award for album of the year to Andrea Bocelli for
his chart topping cd 'Sentimento.'
2003, Will Vanessa-Mae
renew her contract with EMI?
Over the year persistent rumours emerge that Vanessa-Mae will leave EMI.
Vanessa-Mae and EMI keep silence about the matter.
2003, Transition year
Vanessa-Mae goes through a transition year in 2003. She appears in public
and media for only a limited number of occasions. She appears at several
celebrity events like fashion show, film premieres and charity events.
2002
November-December, Vanessa-Mae joins Prince on his experimental album 'Xpectations'
Vanessa-Mae together with several other artists, including the Dutch
saxophone player Candy Dulfer, join Prince in a recording session of an
experimental jazz album titled 'Xpectations.' The album has not been released yet
but has been available in mp3 format for downloading for members of the NPG
Music Club.
2002 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae becomes 24 years of age
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 24th birthday. Members of the online Vanessa-Mae
fans forum send her the traditional 'congratulation' cards and a nice letter.
2002, September-October,
Asia leg of the 'Tour For Change'
Vanessa-Mae takes her 'Tour For Change' to Asia where she performs in Hong
Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
2002 September, Release
of 'The Very Best Of Vanessa-Mae' collection cd
EMI releases a compilation of Vanessa-Mae material in the 'Very Best Of
Vanessa-Mae.' Extensive promotion of this cd takes place especially in Asia.
Vanessa-Mae's involvement marks the final stage in the collaboration between EMI
and Vanessa-Mae.
2002 March 7th,
Vanessa-Mae performs at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics
Vanessa-Mae joins the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Salt Lake City,
where she performs 'Storm' standing on an elevated platform surrounded by a
spectacular show of fireworks, dance and acrobatics.
2001, December - 2002
January-March, European 'Tour For Change'
Vanessa-Mae continues her tour on the mainland of Europe. Concerts take
place in Germany, Balkan states, Eastern Europe and Russia, as well as several
other countries. She gives a radio interview for Radio Euro Plus in Moscow.
2001 November-December,
UK leg of the 'Tour For Change'
Vanessa-Mae embarks on the UK leg of her 'Tour For Change' A glossy
tour brochure is on sale at the concerts.
2001 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae becomes 23 years of age
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 23rd birthday. She receives a tin plate marked as
'Fans Appreciation Award 2001' as gift from her online 'Four Season Of
Vanessa-Mae' fans community (see
www.vanessamae.org).
2001, September 10th,
Vanessa-Mae plays at the Khanty-Mansiysk festival
Vanessa-Mae performs music from the new album at a festival hold in
Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
2001 July 30th, Vanessa-Mae plays at the Mardi Grass festival in London
2001 July 27th,
Vanessa-Mae plays at the Live@Sunset festival
in Zurich
Vanessa-Mae gives concert at the annual
live@sunset festival in Zurich. See the following link for a review !!!!
2001 July 20th, Vanessa-Mae
is warded with the Award for 'Most successful Cross-Over Artist' at the MTV Asia
Music Awards
Vanessa-Mae receives a career award for 'Most Successful Cross-Over Artist.'
2001 July 17th,
Vanessa-Mae plays Safeway Picnic with Pavarotti
Vanessa-Mae performs at the Safeway Picnic with Pavarotti festival in London
Hyde Park. The announced joined performance of Vanessa-Mae, Charlotte
Church and Russell Watson with Pavarotti is cancelled for unknown reason.
Russell
Watson expresses on behalf of all three their anger and disappointment with
this.
2001 May 15th,
Vanessa-Mae on London promotion tour for her new album and raise money for the
RSPCA
Vanessa-Mae plays a selection from music of her new album live on Trafalgar
Square for tourists and passers-by. She also appears in the London Tower for a
press conference and to do interviews. At both event, Vanessa-Mae raises money
for the RSPCA, the Royal Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals.
2001 May 13th,
Vanessa-Mae, Charlotte Church and Russell Watson announce their participation in the Safeway
Picnic with Pavarotti show
In a special press conference, Vanessa-Mae and Charlotte Church announce
that they will both perform in the Safeway Picnic with Pavarotti show in London
Hyde Park in July.
2001 April-May,
Vanessa-Mae on promotion for her new album
Vanessa-Mae does several activities in Asia to promote her new album. She
visits South-Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong-Kong for interviews,
press conferences and television appearances and show semi-live concerts.
- South Korea: filmed press conference
- Malaysia: interviews and press conference
- Hong Kong: interviews and press conference
- Taiwan: press conference, semi-live concert
- Filmed comments on questions submitted by fans
2001 April-May,
Vanessa-Mae's new album titled 'Subject To Change' is released in Asia and
Europe
Vanessa-Mae's new album 'Subject To change' is released first in Asia, and
shortly thereafter in Europe. The Asia release has a bonus vcd with the clips
for 'Destiny' and 'White Bird' as well as a special footage that shows
Vanessa-Mae at the recording process and during the shootings of the 'Destiny'
video. Both 'Destiny' and 'White Bird' are released a cd singles to promote the
album. Both singles, as well as special dance mixes do well in the UK club
circuit.
2001 March 7th,
Vanessa-Mae performs at the Victor Klemper Awards
Vanessa-Mae performs playing classical music at the Victor Klemper Awards
ceremony in Berlin, Germany.
2001 January-February,
David Ogden appointed as new manager of Vanessa-Mae
Vanessa-Mae appoints David Ogden as her new manager, but the collaboration
never went off quite well. Soon, Vanessa-Mae decides to take care of her
business herself. She start her own management bureau 'Fretless' and she
holds office in London.
2000 October,
Vanessa-Mae fires Mel Bush as her manager
Around the time of her 22nd birthday, Vanessa-Mae fires Mel
Bush as her manager. Rumours say that Mel Bush's involvement with his new
cross-over trio 'Bond' was the main reason because Vanessa-Mae was afraid that
she would no longer have Mel Bush's top priority anymore. Again, Vanessa-Mae
explains that she had grown up now and therefore she needed a change after such
a long lasting fruitful collaboration.
2000 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae becomes 22 years of age.
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 22nd birthday. She receives a present from the
high profile 'Four Season of Vanessa-Mae' online fans community for the first
time. The website of the online fans community can be found at
www.vanessamae.org and
www.forum.vanessamae.org.
2000 October,
Vanessa-Mae's dog Gaston dies
Vanessa-Mae's dog escapes from the studio where Vanessa-Mae finishes the
recording of her new album. Gaston is hit in traffic and dies. Vanessa-Mae
receives a new dog as gift for her birthday. She the new puppy 'Gaspard.'
2000 October, Re-release
of Vanessa-Mae's early recordings as 3cd box
October 2000 sees the long awaited re-release of Vanessa-Mae's early
recordings. EMI Classics releases, in special license, a 3cd box with with her
early works. The original recordings are re-mastered and organised into a
Russian album, a Viennese album and a Virtuoso album. In most countries, the 3cd
box is friendly priced.
2000 May 6th,
Vanessa-Mae plays at the inaugural Classical Brit Wards
Vanessa-Mae performs 'Storm' as openings act for the inaugural Classical
Brit Awards Ceremony in the London Royal Albert Hall. The 'Classical Brit
Awards' are intended to become an annual event for classical music as
counterpart for the 'Brit Awards' for pop music.
2000 March 11th, Vanessa-Mae
in Singapore to support StarHub in their campaign to break into the monopoly of
TeleCom
Vanessa-Mae visits Singapore to star in the campaign launched by StarHub to
enter the market monopolized by Singapore TeleCom.
2000 March 7th,
Vanessa-Mae is presented the new Rado 'Ovation' watch as start of a commercial
campaign
Vanessa-Mae receives a literally a standing ovation as well as
metaphorically in the form of the new 'Ovation' model watch as start of her
participation in Rado's commercial campaign in the form of sponsoring her
activities. During the ceremony, Vanessa-Mae is dressed in wonderful log
wide-sleeved shine through flimsy pink top with equally coloured bra and a
perfectly applied make-up as face wear, showing and proofing again in every
aspect why she, as high profile and acclaimed artist, is such a great match to
assist respected companies in campaigns to promote their high value commodities.
Rado gives out a special press release to announce the launch of 'Ovation.'
2000 January,
Vanessa-Mae performs in front of the JS Bach Society in London
Vanessa-Mae performs a special guest of the Royal J.S. Bach Society in the
London St James Palace as part of a festival to commemorate that the composer
died 250 years ago. The festival is hosted by HRH Prince Charles.
2000, Vanessa-Mae acts
in the campaign 'Fan of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group' and donates the money
raised to the RSPCA
During all her travels, Vanessa-Mae stays often in hotels of Mandarin
Oriental Group. As such, she joins a campaign 'Fan Of The Mandarin Oriental
Hotel Group.' She donates the money raised to the RSPCA, the Royal Society
For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals.' See the link:
Vanessa-Mae, fan of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
2000 February,
Vanessa-Mae in Mercedes Class C promotion
Vanessa-Mae works for a promotion campaign for Mercedes to introduce their
new Class C model. Vanessa-Mae performs on the launch show playing her
composition 'The Power Of C' that is based on Prokofiev 'Dance Of The Knights,'
that is part of his famous ballet 'Romeo And Juliet.' A video clips produced
that shows Vanessa-Mae playing in the factories manufacturing the new Class C
model. Mercedes brings out in limited numbers a special present box containing
three model cars and Vanessa-Mae's cd single, under special license from EMI.
Vanessa-Mae is on the cover photo of the February issue of the Mercedes magazine
that features an interview with her.
2000 January,
Vanessa-Mae splits from her mother as manager
Media report that Vanessa-Mae sacked her mother as her manager because of
the dominant influence she had on her and her career. Vanessa-Mae herself speaks
of a 'natural organic development because they had been working together for so
long now. Vanessa-Mae leaves the family home and settles in her own apartment.
Mel Bush is appointed to be her sole manager now.
1999 New years eve,
Vanessa-Mae performs during new years evening for the IRC in Val d'Isere
Vanessa-Mae performs in Val d'Isere for disabled and sick children in a
spectacular show with skiing stunts, fireworks and her original music, including
her composition 'Reach For The Stars' that has never been released commercially.
Vanessa-Mae uses her composition 'Reach For The Stars' also during the 'Art On
Ice' shows.
1999, November-December,
Vanessa-Mae performs in a series of 'Art On Ice' shows
Vanessa-Mae performs during a series on shows called 'Art On Ice.' The show
combines music concerts with an acrobatic show of figure ice skaters. The series
does shows in several cities like Oberhausen (early December), Cologne (December
29th) and Zurich (January 2000).
1999 August 12th, Vanessa-Mae
performs for the Convention for Human Rights
In August, Vanessa-Mae performs in Geneva to commemorate the 50th
anniversary
of the Convention For Human Rights, where she premieres her specially
commissioned work 'For Humanity. This music has never been released
commercially.
1999 July 25th and 27th,
Vanessa-Mae participates in Michael Jackson & Friends charity concerts in Seoul
and Munich
In July 1999, Michael Jackson & Friends give two stadium concerts in Seoul
and Munich in order to raise funds for charity. Vanessa-Mae participates in in
her role as good-will ambassador for 'The International Red Cross.' She receives
standing ovations for her performances from the audiences that are virtually only surpassed by
Michael Jackson. A rather frightening moment take place in Munch when
Vanessa-Mae, at the end of her performance standing on an elevated stage right
in front of the public, looses balance and falls in the audience that carries
her an their hands like a real crow-surfer. She is rescued
from her perilous position by her security people.
1999 June 17th,
Vanessa-Mae plays at the launch of the new Rover car
Vanessa-Mae played at the launch of Rover's new car, standing on top of a
model.
1999 June 3rd,
Vanessa-Mae performs in Munich
Vanessa-Mae gives a special concert in a night bar after her 'Original four
Seasons' concert in Munich.
1999 Autumn and Summer,
Vanessa-Mae tours in Europe
Vanessa-Mae performs accompanied by 'Laureate' in Europe for her 'Original
four Seasons Tour.' A glossy brochure is available at the concerts.
1999 January-April,
Vanessa-Mae meets Lionel Catalan in Val d'Isere
The exact date is not known, but in this period during a skiing holiday
break in Val d'Isere Vanessa-Mae meets Lionel Catalan. After dating for about
1.5-2 years, both decide to start living together. Since then, Vanessa-Mae and
Lionel live together in London in Vanessa-Mae's apartment.
1999, Vanessa-Mae
involved in a romantic relation with Jacques Villeneuve?????
Early 1999, speculations emerged on a romantically involvement between
Vanessa-Mae and F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve. Although it is known that the two
have met on several occasions and know each other, the exact nature of their
relation has never been established. Vanessa-Mae nor Jacques Villeneuve has ever
confirmed the alleged romance, nor does any photo material exists that would
support these rumours.
1999 March 19th, Vanessa-Mae
visits refugee camps in Kenia as goodwill ambassador for the IRC
Vanessa-Mae, as goodwill ambassador for the International Red Cross, makes
her first field trip to in Kenia where she visits refugee camps and performs for
the inhabitants.
1999 March 4th,
Vanessa-Mae visits a Formula 1 racing track
Early March 1999, Vanessa-Mae visits a F1 track. She tests a track suit and
the actual seat in a F1 car. In this period, Vanessa-Mae also performs at
a party for the launch of the new F1 racing season.
1999 January 15th,
Vanessa-Mae participates in an annual skiing event for charity in Villars
Vanessa-Mae takes part in a 24 hours skiing event in Villars Switzerland
held annually to raise funds for charity. F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve is among
the organisers of this yearly event.
1999, Vanessa-Mae and
the International Red Cross
Vanessa-Mae acts as good-will ambassador for the International Red Cross.
1998 - early 1999,
Vanessa-Mae makes her debut as actress in 'Arabian Nights'
Vanessa-Mae makes her debut as an actress in playing the role of Princess
Zobeide in the television movie 'Arabian Nights.' In several interviews, she
explains that her priority remains her violin and music and that she has no
plans to further continue and develop a career as actress.
1998 November, 'The
Original Four Season: The Classical Album 3' is released
Vanessa-Mae releases her third classical album 'The Original Four Seasons:
The Classical Album 3' on the EMI label. The album features Vanessa-Mae's highly
profiled and embellished version of Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons,' and equally
thoroughly restructured Tartini's composition 'The Devil's Trill Sonata,' as
well her modern arrangement 'The Devil's Trill' and 'Reflection.' A vcd with two
video clips for 'The Devill's Trill' and 'Reflection' as well as 'The Violin
Fantasy' and 'The Making Of The Siemens Add is available as bonus to the Asian
release of the album. On the album, Vanessa-Mae is accompanied by 'Laureate,' an
ensemble consisting of only award winning musicians conducted by Vasko Vassilev,
concert master of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, former tutor of
Vanessa-Mae and friend of the Nicholson family.
1998 November,
Vanessa-Mae walks at the catwalk in Paris
Vanessa-Mae stars in a Jean Paul Gaultier's fashion show in Paris where she
plays to the crowd in a wedding dress.
1998 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae becomes 20 years of age; a special party is organised for her by
Siemens
Vanessa-Mae becomes 20 years of age. She celebrates this event together with
family, friends and colleagues in the London 'Cafe Paris' during a party
especially organised for her by Siemens and EMI. Vanessa-Mae appears for the
first time with her hair cut short. She wears a special designed purple coloured
dress created by Versace; her visage is of course also perfectly made up.
1998 October 9th,
Vanessa-Mae attends on the London premiere of the movie 'Mulan'
Vanessa-Mae, accompanied by her mother Pamela, attends the premiere in
London for the movie 'Mulan.' Vanessa-Mae shows up very heavily made up
with expressive facewear, wearing a special dress with a fine subtle flower
design, a half circle small decorative crown over her long black hair. A few
days later, Vanessa-Mae also acts and plays during the premiere of 'Mulan' in
Cologne, Germany on November 7th.
1998 October 5th, Vanessa-Mae plays live at the world premiere of the Disney movie 'Mulan' in Chicago, USA
1998 October,
Vanessa-Mae and 'Mulan'
Vanessa-Mae plays her own arrangement of Matthew Wilders composition
'Reflection' as part of the music to the Disney film 'Mulan.'
1998, September-October,
Vanessa-Mae participates in Siemens 'Get Inspired' campaign
Vanessa-Mae participates together with F1 driver Hakinnen and fashion
designer Jean-Paul Gaultier in the promotional campaign 'Get Inspired' for a new Siemens
mobile phone. Vanessa-Mae composes 'The Devil's Trill,' that is based on Tartini's famous 'The Devil's Trill
Sonata.' A short documentary 'The Making of
The Siemens Ad' is produced that shows Vanessa-Mae during her composing process
and at her visit to a F1 track where she gets the mobile phones handed over to
her by Hakinnen. Part of the documentary are used for a television advert. The
movie itself is available on VCD as a bonus to the Asian release of the
Classical Album 3.
1998 September,
Vanessa-Mae visits Argentina and joins the stage with the Back street Boys
Vanessa-Mae visits Argentina for a concert and she appears in several
television shows too. An official documentary is produced by EMI. She is also
introduced to the Back Street Boys and they invite her to join them on stage at
there stadium concert the next day.
1998 September 6th,
Vanessa-Mae acts in her silent movie 'The Violin Fantasy'
Vanessa-Mae acts in her silent movie 'The Violin Fantasy.' 60 extras, among
which are many fans, act as audience to a filmed concert of Vanessa-Mae
performing a movement of Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons.' The silent movie is part
of Vanessa-Mae's new project the Classical Album 3. The movie is available on a
bonus vcd to the Asia release of her classical Album 3.
1998 May 9th,
Vanessa-Mae participates in the break-show of the Eurovision Song Contest
Vanessa-Mae is part of a huge spectacular break-show of the annual
Eurovision Song Contest held in Birmingham UK. The show features firework,
dance, opera singer Lesley Garret and Vanessa-Mae on violin.
1998 March-April,
Vanessa-Mae visits South Africa and the township Soweto
Vanessa-Mae visits South Africa to kick off her 'Storm On World Tour.' She
visits a school in the township of Soweto, where she becomes to first
international artist to perform there. Vanessa-Mae performs in six concerts in
South Africa, including in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The tour is interrupted
by her ASEM performance in Buckingham Palace.
1998 April 3rd,
Vanessa-Mae performs in Buckingham Palace at the ASEM II Conference
Vanessa-Mae performs before 23 Heads of State and the British Royal Family
including her Majesty The Queen during the closing Ceremony of the ASEM II
Conference in Buckingham Palace. A special 2cd box in a luxurious gold box
titled 'Vanessa-Mae & ASEM II: Bridging The Gap' is presented to all delegate
members. The box contains the albums 'Storm' and 'China Girl' and a personal
message of Vanessa-Mae to the delegate members. It is produced in very limited
numbers and is not commercially available. The box has become a valuable 'collectors
item.'
1998
March 19th, Vanessa-Mae performs a special concert in Dubai, United Arabic
Emirates
Vanessa-Mae gives a special concert in Dubai, UAE, at the Dubai Creek Golf
and Marine Club. The spectacular show of music, dance and fireworks extravaganza
is televised in many countries. The show is only open for dignitaries and other
special invited. Members of the Royal Family of the UAE attend the show too.
1998, Vanessa-Mae is on
her 'Storm On world Tour;' several tour documentaries filmed
From April throughout most of 1998, Vanessa-Mae is on her 'Storm On World
Tour' visiting 4 continents - Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South
America - in more than 100 concerts, many appearances on diverse national
television channels. An official EMI tour movie is made made, titled 'The Strom
On World Tour' movie that has been televised in many countries. Despite many
request, this movie has not been released commercially so far. Moreover, EMI
also produced a documentary showing Vanessa-Mae during her visit to Argentina. A
glossy tour brochure as well as posters and other merchandise is available at
the concerts.
1998 February, 'China
Girl' promotion in London
On the day of Chinese New year, Vanessa-Mae gives a free open-air concert on
Leicester Square in London, as well as a press conference in the London Tower to
promote her new album. For both events, Vanessa-Mae is dressed in a red short
Chinese style dress and she is markedly made up to successfully portray a
beautiful luxurious Chinese Oriental girl.
1998 January,
Vanessa-Mae releases 'China Girl, The Classical 2 in Europe
Vanessa-Mae releases her second classical album on the EMI label. On
'China Girl The Classical Album 2,' in Europe. Vanessa-Mae examines her Chinese roots; the
album is dedicated to the memory of her grandfather Tan Lip Kee, who passed away
in Singapore in 1994. The album features Hao & Kang's 'The Butterfly Lovers
Violin Concerto,' Vanessa-Mae's own transcription 'Violin Fantasy On Puccini's
Turandot,' as well as her own composition 'Happy Valley: The Re-Unification
Overture.' Vanessa-Mae explains in her personal notes in the booklet that
with the death of her Grandfather, she had lost her only real connection to
China as her family homeland and heritage.
1997,
November 24th, Vanessa-Mae appears in the 'Good Morning America' morning show on
ABC television.
Vanessa-Mae appears in the ABC morning show television show 'Good Morning
America' where she is interviewed and performs live 'I Am A Doun' on acoustic
violin. Vanessa-Mae's appearance on television is part of her promotion tour in
the USA.
1997,
November 23rd, Vanessa-Mae plays at the opening ceremony for the new boutique of
Shanghai Tang on Madison Avenue, NY
Vanessa-Mae plays at the opening ceremony for the new boutique of Shanghai
Tang on Madison venue in New York. The repertoire that she performs includes music
from her new released albums 'Storm' and 'China Girl.' The show is part of her
promotion tour in the USA.
1997
November, Vanessa-Mae visits the USA to do promotion for her new released albums
'Storm' and 'China Girl'
Vanessa-Mae visits the USA to promote her new albums 'Storm' and 'China
Girl' with an open air free concert on Madison Avenue on the 23rd, an appearance
on national television on the 24th, several meetings with the press, and
autograph sessions with her fans. On all occasions, Vanessa-Mae is dressed in
Chinese style silk clothes designed by David Tang and, and she has perfectly applied
make-up on for her facewear all the time.
1997 November,
Vanessa-Mae honoured with the award for 'Classical Music Without Frontiers'
Vanessa-Mae is awarded in Germany with the award for 'Classical Music
Without Frontiers.'
1997 October 29th,
Vanessa-Mae live in Brussels for a free open air concert
On October 29th 1997, Vanessa-Mae gives a short open air
concert in Brussels Belgium for promotional purposes where she plays a selection
form her new album 'Storm.'
1997, 2nd pop album 'Storm'
is released in
the fall
Storm, Vanessa-Mae's second pop cd is released first in Europe and Asia, and
later world wide. The booklet has three different versions and lay-outs. In
Asia, the cd is released together with a bonus video cd (vcd). The title track
'Storm' and 'I Feel Love' are released as cd singles. the single 'I Feel Love'
sees three different version that have various dance mixes as supporting tracks.
1997 June 30th,
Vanessa-Mae performs in Hong-Kong at the Re-Unification Ceremony
Vanessa-Mae is honoured with a prestigious invitation to perform as only
foreign artist at the re-unification ceremony of Hong Kong to China at he exact
moment of the handover. Vanessa-Mae performs 'Happy Valley, The Re-Unification
Overture' that she composed especially for this event.
1997 June 22nd,
Vanessa-Mae awarded at the Silver Clef Awards
Vanessa-Mae is awarded with the award for 'Top international Artist of the
Year' at the Silver Clef Awards in London on June 22nd, see
gallery 36 for photos
1997, Vanessa-Mae
collaborates with Janet Jackson
Vanessa-Mae collaborates with Janet Jackson on the title track of the new
album 'The Velvet Rope.'
1997 May 19th,
Vanessa-Mae appears on the annual Chelsea Flower Show
Vanessa-Mae visits the annual Chelsea Flower Show for
promotional photo shooting wearing an appropriate green dress with flower print.
Photos of Vanessa-Mae at the Chelsea Flower show are available in
gallery 22 of the
Collection of photos of Vanessa-Mae
1997 April 17th,
Vanessa-Mae awarded at the World Music Awards
Vanessa-Mae is awarded with the award for 'Best Selling Classical Recording
Artist of the year at the 'World Music Awards in Monaco on April 17th.
1997, Classical Album 1
multi-media special edition
Early 1997, a special multi-media edition of The Classical Album 1 with
an enhanced video element is released in limited numbers in a nice black box with
silver letters.
1997 January 24th,
Vanessa-Mae asks in an advert a critic to give his musical credentials
Vanessa-Mae takes out a half page advert in the London Evening Standard to
demand Mr. Jones to give his musical credentials. In the same newspaper,
Mr Jones had written a critical report on one of Vanessa-Mae's concerts for the
'Alternative Classical Tour,' in which he also openly questioned Vanessa-Mae's
birthday being the same as Paganini's. In her advert, Vanessa-Mae shows a copy of her birth
certificate and gives her full CV of musical training. Then she adds: 'Your
turn, Mr Jones - what are your professional credentials? Are you a musician - do
you play or write music? Are you rated as a musician? If so, who by?'
1997, Alternative
Classical Tour
In January and February, Vanessa-Mae brings her classical tour to the UK. Unfortunately for Vanessa-Mae and her fans, the UK labour department denies work
permits for the orchestra members, because the union of professional musicians
filed a complaint with the argument that British musicians and orchestras should have been
invited first. Vanessa-Mae decides to go along with the tour and invites friends
and sympathising colleagues to accompany her on stage. with this decision,
Vanessa-Mae goes against many
advices to cancel the series of concerts. The tour is renamed 'The Alternative Classical
Tour,' and she performs an adjusted program of an highly improvised nature with
a small group of musicians. The concerts receives mixed reviews; some reviewers
praise Vanessa-Mae for her courage and improvising abilities, others -
among them are her regular and severe critics - take the opportunity to
burn her to the ground or at least to make their point that Vanessa-Mae is only
a mediocre violinist with below average talent who can not be taken seriously.
However, audiences reward Vanessa-Mae with standing ovations, showing that she
was right to follow her instincts. The concert in
Birmingham was recorded and televised. Despite many requests, EMI has not
released the concert on DVD yet. Judging from the recorded concert, Vanessa-Mae
and her musicians enjoyed themselves live on stage, conveying their enthusiasm
to the audience.
1996,
December 6th, Vanessa-Mae performs in Bangkok, Thailand, in a special concert
sponsored by Mitsubishi
For her classical tour, Vanessa-Mae performs in a special concert in
Bangkok, Thailand, sponsored by Mitsubishi. Vanessa-Mae participates in a
Mitsubishi promotion campaign for the launch of a new Lancer model. In an especially issued
concert program brochure, Vanessa-Mae explains that she feels greatly honoured
to participate in the Kings celebrations for his 50th anniversary of the
accession to the throne. Vanessa-Mae appears at an after concert party dressed
in a cheongsam with long sleeves that widen to the end, designed in warm brown tones with
red to green patterns in it. She also wears very heavy make-up that effectively
counterbalance the overwhelming design of her dress. The concert program is
available at 'Tour Brochures' page
and photos of the after concert party can be viewed in
gallery 30 of the
Collection of photos of Vanessa-Mae section of this website.
1996, The Classical Tour
In the autumn of 1996, Vanessa-Mae tours in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
in a 'Classical Tour' playing music of her 'Classical Album 1' as well as
various other
showpieces. The concert in the Berlin Philharmonie is recorded and available on
videotape. For this series of concerts, Vanessa-Mae is accompanied by the
Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bruno Membrey. A tour brochure
is available at the concerts.
1996, Classical Album 1
released
'The Classical Album 1' is released. 'This album, which features a
program with music of German composers, includes Bach's 'Partita no 3
for solo violin,' Bruch's 'Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra,' as well
as Vanessa-Mae's own arrangement 'a Little Scottish Fantasy.' The album becomes the
fastest selling classical album ever in the UK and reaches the pop album chart
of Billboard in the USA, the first and yet till today, the only classical album
to do so. With this album, Vanessa-Mae successfully shows
her determination to pursuit a dual career and she silences her critics who said that
such would be impossible. Vanessa-Mae states in the booklet of the 'Classical
Album 1:'
"The violin is versatile if the violinist is versatile, and I therefore stand
to
my conviction that both my classical and contemporary careers should go
side by side"
'I Am A Doun For Lack Of Johnny' (A Little Scottish Fantasy) is released as single form the album. For this number, Vanessa-Mae sings for the first time!
1996, Vanessa-Mae on the
list of 50 most beautiful women
Peoples Magazine ranks Vanessa-Mae on position 48 of their list of 50 most
beautiful women of the world.
1996, June 27th-29th,
Vanessa-Mae performs at the G7 summit in Lyon, France
Vanessa-Mae is among the invited internationally acclaimed artists to
perform in Lyon during the G7 summit.
1996, Vanessa-Mae
nominated at the annual Brit Awards for best female artist
Moreover in 1996, Vanessa-Mae is nominated for best female
artist in the annual Brit Awards. Eventually, she would not win the award.
1995 Winter, Vanessa-Mae
performs on the frozen lake of St. Moritz
In the winter of 1995, Vanessa-Mae performs in a spectacular live show on
the frozen lake of St. Moritz where she enters the stage hang gliding from
mountain.
1995-1996, The Red Hot
Tour on mainland Europe, release of 2nd single
After 'Toccata & Fugue' a second single 'Red Hot' is released. 'Red Hot' is
an original composed by Vanessa-Mae. Classical Gas in a special reggae version
is released as third single from the album. Video clips are shot to support both
singles. The 'Red Hot Tour' brings Vanessa-Mae to the mainland of Europe, to Asia and to the USA too, visiting more
than 33 counties. Vanessa-Mae appears a guest in many television shows in the
various countries to support and promote her album and tour. Appealing
performances where audiences reward Vanessa-Mae with standing ovations include appearances at
the rock festivals of San Remo, Midfyns Out in the Green, and the Sopot festival in Poland sharing the
bill with Annie Lenox. Other illustrious venues where Vanessa-Mae performs, are the Berlin Philharmonie, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Vienna Konzerthaus and the Salzburg Festival Hall.
1995 July 12th, Vanessa-Mae
plays live on Time Square, New York
Vanessa-Mae plays live on Time Square during a promotional tour throughout
the USA. Highlight of this show is the moment when Vanessa-Mae jumps from the
stage onto a yellow cab. Although probable orchestrated, the publicity and
promotional effect of this action is enormous and virtually ever lasting, since
it is referred to very often to describe Vanessa-Mae as a spectacular and
explosive live performer.
1995, Vanessa-Mae
addresses the Oxford Union and receives a BAMBI award
Vanessa-Mae is invited to address the 172 year old Oxford Union in the
famous debating chamber. She is also awarded the 1995 BAMBI Award for
International Classical Artist of the Year.
1995, Release of her
first pop album 'The Violin Player'
The Violin Player is released as debut 'pop' album of Vanessa-Mae at the EMI Music
label. The single 'Toccata & Fugue reaches the top of the British pop charts, as
well as the charts in many other countries. The Violin Player sells to
multi-platinum status world-wide. Most of the music is composed by Mike Batt, who
also acts as the producer of the album. The finishing track 'Red Hot' is
Vanessa-Mae's original. In the summer of 1995, Vanessa-Mae embarks on a
hugely successful 34 day UK Red Hot Tour. Her sold out 'Red Hot' concert in the
Royal Albert Hall in London is filmed and subsequently released on video tape. This
Royal Albert Hall concert followed a day after Vanessa-Mae's
a classical concert of in the Royal Festival Hall in London that was also sold
out. With this, Vanessa-Mae becomes the first artiest to do sold out concerts in
both venues on consecutive days. With the album
and the live tour of concerts Vanessa-Mae establish her name as high profile artist and explosive live
performer, and the achievement made her a world-wide superstar instantaneously. Vanessa-Mae's
mother Pamela and Mel Bush act jointly as her managers, a role in which Pamela
substantiates her legal obligations to accompany her underage daughter.
1994, Vanessa-Mae's
grandfather dies at an age of 74
In 1994, Vanessa-Mae Grandfather on her mothers side of the family dies in
Singapore at an age of 74.
1994, Vanessa-Mae signs
at EMI
Vanessa-Mae signs an unprecedented contract with EMI that allows her to
record and release albums in both the pop and classical division.
1992,
September 29th, Vanessa-Mae performs with the Orchestra Symphonique Francais
Vanessa-Mae joins the Orchestra Symphonique Francais conducted by Eric Fajeu
as soloist in a concert of the orchestra with young
prodigies on September 29th 1992. The other soloist, who also made it to fame and
success, is pianist Andrea Bacchetti.
1991, first
international tour, release of the 2nd and 3rd cds
In 1991 Vanessa-Mae tours internationally with the London Mozart Players as
violin soloist for the Mozart Bicentennial celebrations. In this year, she also
records her 2nd and 3rd album titled 'Kids Classics: My Favourites' and
'Tchaikovsky & Beethoven Violin Concertos,' both are released on the Trittico label that was
founded by her mother. With her 3rd cd, Vanessa-Mae becomes the youngest
violinist ever to record these two violin concertos rendering her a position in
the Guinness Book Of Records.
1990, release of her
debut album
Vanessa-Mae releases her first album titled simply 'Debut' or 'Violin' on
the Music And Arts Records label.
1989, first performance
with full orchestra
Vanessa-Mae performs with the Philharmonia, this event marks her first
concert in public with full orchestra.
1988 October 27th, 10th
birthday and her J.B. Guadagnini violin
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 10th birthday. She receives a J.B Guadagnini
violin that was built in 1761 as present from her parents. Graham and Pamela
bought the instrument at an auction for about £220,000.
1982-1989, childhood and
upbringing, musical training
Vanessa-Mae grows up in London as a normal schoolgirl though in a rather
protected and somehow elitist surrounding. Vanessa-Mae's parents have many
friends and acquaintances in music and high circles, and she frequently attends
the numerous cocktail and diner parties her parents organise in their family
home. She receives, as she calls it, a cosmopolitan upbringing. In these years,
Vanessa-Mae's extraordinary talent for the violin emerges. At the age of 8,
Vanessa-Mae moved,
accompanied by her mother, from the comforts of the
Francis Holland School for girls to
the Central Conservatoire in Beijing China where she receives an intense training
of 6 months of violin practice. Under the supervision of Professor Lin Yao-Ji,
Vanessa-Mae is trained according to the Yankelovich technique The methodology
trains students to acquire a solid yet relaxed technique which allows the
violinist to direct energy into music instead of bottle it up in physical
tension and stress. During her stay in China, Vanessa-Mae lays the basis from
where she would develop from a promising prodigious talent into a gifted
professional musician and violinist. She
explains later that this period renders her the technique that enables her to
play the violin in a very relaxed manner. Immediately after returning to London,
Vanessa-Mae attends the Royal College of Music where she graduates under
professor Felix Andrievsky. At the age of 10, she is the youngest student ever
to do so. Around 1987-1988, She decides that she music will always play an
important role in her life and that she wants to make playing the violin her
profession.
1980-1982, parents
divorce, new family moves to London, first music lessons
Vanessa-Mae's parents divorce; her mother Pamela remarries Graham Nicholson,
a British lawyer. The new family moves to London soon. Graham accepts
Vanessa-Mae as his legal daughter by officially adopting her. In her new
country, Vanessa-Mae first starts to play the piano, but soon Graham persuades
her to change instruments and to switch to the violin.
1978 October 27th,
Vanessa-Mae born in Singapore
Vanessa-Mae is born in Singapore as only child to Pamela and Varaprong Vanakorn,
exactly 196 years after the legendary violinist Niccolo Paganini.
----------------------------------
The team of the VMSPOS website
copyrights of the text © VMSPOS@ http://www.vanessa-mae.nu, Groningen, The Netherlands, 2004-2007