VANESSA-MAE NEWS

THE ARCHIVES 2006

Vanessa-Mae news archive 2008 - news from the year 2008
Vanessa-Mae news archive 2007 - news from the year 2007
Vanessa-Mae news archive 2005 - news from the year 2005

December 29, 2006: What next for the virtuoso violinists? - Simon Hewitt Jones has some answers
Brian Mickletwait wrote in his Blog of December 29, 2006, about the use of releasing more cd's with existing traditional classical repertoire over and over again by the record companies. In this respect, Brian Mickletwait mentioned Vanessa-Mae and Nigel Kennedy as renewing artists and he made the following statements:

I have a lot more respect for violinists like Vanessa-Mae Nicholson and Nigel Kennedy (whose fiftieth birthday was yesterday by the way),
than a lot of music critics seem to have, The answers that Vanessa-Mae and Kennedy offer may not always be entirely convincing, but at least they are asking the right question: Where next for virtuoso violinists?

and he stated on Vanessa-Mae in particular:

Besides which, what’s wrong with looking nice in a wet T-shirt?

Brian Mickletwait wrote his story around an invitation that he received via email to visit a performance of traditional classical violinist Simon Hewitt Jones.

source: Blog of Brian Mickletwait

December 22, 2006, Pamela Tan, mother of Vanessa-Mae, and Vasko Vassilev in a joint project to make Chinese Olympic medal winners  'New World Music Stars' !

Vanessa-Mae's mother Pamela Tan Nicholson and Vasko Vassilev, concert master of the Royal Opera House Orchestra and founder of the Laureate, work together in a project to make young Chinese Olympic medals winners of the Beijing games in 2008  „New World Music Stars“. The project will form the basis of a 'reality television show' to be broadcasted by CCTV5, the official Olympic channel. Eight candidates, all Chinese Olympic medal winners, will engage in a contest for the title of 'New World Music Star.'

source Neues aus China and http://sports.sina.com.cn/z/worldstar/

Pamela Tan guided her daughter during the first stages of her career till Vanessa-Mae ended the professional relationship end 1999. Mother and daughter are believed to have a tensed relationship since then. Vasko Vassilev was one of the tutors of Vanessa-Mae when she was a child. Vasko played with Vanessa-Mae on several of her albums and at many concerts. Vanessa-Mae was accompanied by The Laureates directed by Vasko Vassilev on her album 'The Original Four Seasons' and during the 'Original Four Season Tour' in 1999. Vasko Vassilev and Pamela Tan are believed to be romantically engaged ever since Pamela divorced Vanessa-Mae's stepfather Graham Nicholson. Vasko Vassilev and Pamela Tan run an official website showcasing and promoting their artistic collaboration, see: official website Vasko Vassilev. The biography Vasko Vassilev refers to his past collaboration with Vanessa-Mae by mentioning her by name, where the biography Pamela Tan only speaks about Vanessa-Mae by referring to the role she played in guiding her daughter in her career. A recent project of Vasko Vassilev and Pamela Tan resulted in a 10 minutes filmed report, see: Vasko & Pamela 'World Classics' video. Future projects Vasko & Pamela will be announced at the official website.

December 11, 2006, Vanessa-Mae special concert at the McLaren-Mercedes F1 2007 season opening

Vanessa-Mae's special concert at the launch of the new McLaren-Mercedes F1 racing car will probable take place on Monday, January 15, 2007 in Valencia, Spain. This comes as extra information in addition to the announcement about Vanessa-Mae special concert at the McLaren F1-season opening, that was made on this webpage last Saturday, December 8  - see Vanessa-Mae news: the archives 2006 for this report.

Vanessa-Mae will highlight with a special concert a spectacular event to launch the new McLaren-Mercedes F1 car for the season 2007. The event will take place in Valencia, Spain, in February next year where McLaren will open their 2007 season with spectacular fireworks and a special concert by Vanessa-Mae. The exact date is not know yet, but will be announced here as soon as new information becomes available. See Tour dates of Vanessa-Mae

sources McLaren at http://www.mclaren.com/ and Think Spain at http://www.thinkspain.com

December 8, 2006: Vanessa-Mae special concert at the McLaren F1-season opening
Vanessa-Mae will highlight with a special concert a spectacular event to launch the new McLaren-Mercedes F1 car for the season 2007. The event will take place in Valencia, Spain, in February next year where McLaren will open their 2007 season with spectacular fireworks and a special concert by Vanessa-Mae. The exact date is not know yet, but will be announced here as soon as new information becomes available. See Tour dates of Vanessa-Mae.

source Think Spain at http://www.thinkspain.com

December 4, 2006 Vanessa-Mae attends the opening of the new Mandarin Hotel in Prague

Vanessa-Mae attends the opening of the new facilities of the Mandarin hotel group in Prague, Czech Republic. The opening is highlighted with Chinese opera.

source Czech Business Weekly a http://www.cbz.cz

November 16, 2006, Vanessa-Mae speaks to her fans!
 

Vanessa-Mae's plan for her new album is to take a more classical and orchestral approach with inspiration from the great ballet and opera themes. It will not be released before next Autumn.

Vanessa-Mae says: "Without a listener, there is no music. So thank you so much for your support over the years and listening to my music through the seasons. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I will be in studio next year working on bringing more music to you soon."

So speaks Vanessa-Mae in an address to her best fans of 'The Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum' as feedback to the presents sent to her last month for her 28th birthday. Other interesting highlights from Vanessa-Mae's feedback are as follows:

Vanessa-Mae will be sure to tour once the new album is released and she would like visit as many countries as possible.

The release of Vanessa-Mae's biography was halted out of respect for the privacy of her parents' divorce a few years ago but there is now so much to add since the first draft in 2001. Vanessa-Mae wants to speak about her life so will be gearing up to add more chapters after the release of her next album.

Vanessa-Mae hopes that one day her promotional videos, including The Violin Fantasy, will be publicly.

Vanessa-Mae's electric violin was successfully sold in a private sale to aid charity.
 

In a special personal message to her fans, Vanessa-Mae says:

"Without a listener, there is no music. So thank you so much for your support over the years and listening to my music through the seasons. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I will be in studio next year working on bringing more music to you soon."
 

More details can be found in the 'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum' in the topic 'Vanessa-Mae's feedback to our 2006 bday presents.'

November 11, 2006
Vanessa-Mae is mentioned as the world famous daughter of Pamela Nicholson and widely admired violinist in an article in Shanghai Daily of November 10, 2006. the article deals with the current activities of Pamela Nicholson and Vasko Vassilev in China.

Quotes from the article are:

"Pamela Nicholson (or simply Pamela, as she prefers) knows how to use the time of her life."
 

"An incredibly talented artiste, but also a TV presenter, actor, dancer, lawyer, accomplished concert pianist, composer, arranger, producer and director, Pamela is now turning her attention to making superstars of some of China's most accomplished sports personalities via her China World Star program. This is in keeping with Pamela's inspirational reputation as one who has assisted with the careers and performances of numerous musicians, including her daughter, the widely admired violinist Vanessa-Mae."

"In 1997 she brought her famous daughter Vanessa-Mae to China and gave successful performances in Beijing. Pamela was astonished by the great changes that had taken place during ten years. "And now, with two years to go before the 2008 Olympic Games, I decided it is time for me to return and do something for the country and the Olympic Games."
 

The article falsely credits Pamela Nicholson as sole composer of the song 'Happy Valley' that was played by Vanessa-Mae on Hong Kong on the eve of the re-unification with China on June 30, 1997. The booklets of Vanessa-Mae's albums Storm and China Girl credit the song as a joined project between Vanessa-Mae, Andy Hill and Pamela Nicholson, where Pamela's role was probable limited to writing the words.

November 7, 2006, Vanessa-Mae performed at the Bursa Festival in Turkey last summer on July 10, 2006
As we only just learnt today, Vanessa-Mae performed at the Bursa Music Festival in Istanbul.

October 27, 2006, Vanessa-Mae becomes 28 years of age
Vanessa-Mae celebrates her 28th birthday. The 'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum' organises the traditional birthday project and presents Vanessa-Mae with 'THE BEST VIOLINIST OF THE WORLD AWARD' and with the usual list of questions regarding issues of concern to her best fan. For details of this years project, see the 'Vanessa-Mae Fans Forum.' The 'Vanessa-Mae: Saying Power On Strings' website launches special birthday greetings to her at 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA-MAE.'

October 13, 2006: Vanessa-Mae walks the red carpet in Hong Kong to the Mandarin Oriental
Vanessa-Mae was present at a private gala organised by Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong on October 12 to celebrate their re-entry in the local society. More than 500 celebrities, dignitaries and society guests were present at the gala evening. Vanessa-Mae was among the special invited selection of international celebrities, that included the likes as fashion icons Vivienne Tam and Kenzo, renowned author Frederick Forsyth, global entrepreneur David Tang and esteemed architect I.M. Pei, who made the red carpet entrance. See for an official press release:

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong celebrates its return with an exclusive gala party

September 9, 2006
As I only found out quite recently, Disky Communications Europe released a new collection cd titled 'Vanessa-Mae' in license from EMI Records on June 1, 2006. The cover photo is shown below. For scans of the full booklet and the disc, see Recent Collection Acquisitions. The album is available via amazon.co.uk, see: collection album 'Vanessa-Mae'  at amazon.co.uk. A photo of Vanessa-Mae at the free concert for promotion of 'Subject To change' on Trafalgar Square on May 15, 2001 was used for the cover of this compilation.

 July 23rd 2006
Vanessa-Mae and Lionel attend the finale of the Veueve Clicquot Gold Cup, the British Open Polo championships, in Cirencester, England. The photo below show Vanessa-Mae and her friend Lionel as happy couple together.

July 5th 2006
Vanessa-Mae appears as guest among 200 other VIPs at a charity polo game in Ascot at the Coworth Park Polo Club sponsored by Audi Cars in the UK. Prince William made his debut as captain for the Umbogo team. Among the VIPs that were present was also designer Jimmy Choo accompanied by his daughter Emily. There are no photos of Vanessa-Mae at the event are available.

June 27th 2006
Vanessa-Mae joins in a fund raising event for An Elephant Durbar organised by the Elephant Family on June 27th 2006 in Richmond, UK. The 4 photos below show Vanessa-Mae at her arrival for the evening diner wearing a fine long evening red dress with high heeled shoes and her wonderful make-up with smooth complexion, red lipstick and eyes accentuated with black liner and mascara renders her face a natural expression that is completed by her beautiful long black hanging freely on her back. Vanessa-Mae had this red dress too when she promoted the new Rover model in London on 1999, see 'gallery 21 ' of my 'Collection of photos of Vanessa-Mae.'    

June 16th 2006, Vanessa-Mae visits the newly formed Audi R10 TDI team that will make their debut compete in the annual 24 hours of Le Man this weekend.
Vanessa-Mae, invited by Audi as distinguished Audi owner and user, visits the Audi R10 TDI team during in France at the Le Mans site where the team makes their final preparations for the annual 24 hours race held this weekend. See the text below of an official Audi statement:

'News from the Audi Le Mans team'

'The début of the new Audi R10 TDI attracts prominent visitors to France: violinist Vanessa Mae, Nick Mason, drummer of the Pink Floyd rock band, and actors Ralf Bauer and Benjamin Sadler are guests of Audi’s at Le Mans. Prof Dr Ferdinand Piëch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, made a surprise visit to the Audi Sport Team Joest pit garages on Thursday. Tom Kristensen and Marco Werner received further accolades for their 2005 victory: tyre manufacturer Michelin supplied futuristic "Segway” human transporters to the Audi drivers which they now use to ride through the Le Mans paddock.Vanina Ickx, Audi "factory” driver in the DTM, has been contracted by French TV Channel Canal+ as a co-commentator for their Le Mans "live” coverage. Jacky Ickx, six-times Le Mans winner, was given an explanation of the Audi R10 TDI cockpit by Tom Kristensen. Last year, the Audi "works” driver won the 24 Hour race for the seventh time making him the new "King of Le Mans”. '

Photos of Vanessa-Mae visiting the Audi Le Mans team are not yet available!

May 13 2006, Vanessa-Mae performs in Geneva for the International Red Cross (ICRC) to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross
Vanessa-Mae participated with a free concert in an ICRC event funds for the Thai Red Cross Society For Children Home.

May 28th 2006, Vanessa-Mae sued by builder who claims that she has failed to pay £100,000 for work done on her London home.
Vanessa-Mae is being sued by a reconstruction builder who claims that she has failed to pay £100,000 for work done on her London home.

Ellis says, "It is very disappointing, we were a little concerned when we took on the job after two architects had resigned. Fortunately we have a lot of other work but I do have £10,000 worth of windows if anyone wants them. I actually feel sorry for Vanessa because she has created a situation she hoped to avoid."

See for the complete article: Vanessa-Mae is being sued

Vanessa-Mae has not commented on the present situation yet, but she is known to be very disturbed since she claims that several reconstruction workers have failed to deliver on their services offered to renovate her new London luxurious mansion, see the Vanessa-Mae News dated October 7th 2005.
 

May 14th 2006
Vanessa-Mae's violin did not make the reserve price at the auction of memorabilia at the auction in Croydon organised by Pope George, music and film memorabilia. Vanessa-Mae generously donated the electric Zeta that she used for the 'Storm On World Tour' in 1997-1998, to be sold at an auction to raise money for 2 international breast cancer charity organisations, see Vanessa-Mae news of May 4, 2006.

When asked about the highest bid, one of the organisers of Sundays May 14 fair explained to 'Vanessa-Mae: Saying Power On Strings' website:

'The violin was a great draw to our site and was much appreciated at our Music & Movies Fair on Sunday,
but unfortunately the highest bid was £1,500 which did not reach the reserve price.
We could not let the violin go for that price as Vanessa-Mae was very generous in donating the violin for the two breast cancer charities.
The instrument will now go into a specialist sale, possibly at Bonham’s auctions.
As soon as I have precise details I will email you again, so you can keep track of it and update your website.'

May 9th 2006, Vanessa-Mae attended a party to celebrate the launch of the new Audi TT Coupe, Audi's latest sport car
Vanessa-Mae was present at a party organised by Audi car in the UK to celebrate the launch of their latest sports car, the Audi TT Coupe. Vanessa-Mae possesses several Audi's together with her friend Lionel Catalan - see the Audi Magazine, December 2004.

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 struggling cancer herself. Obviously, this charity goal is close to her heart. The photo below shows Vanessa-Mae handing over the Zeta jazz electric violin having her personal signature.

The auction will be held on May 14th and bidding is already possible online, see:

The auction including Vanessa-Mae's electric  violin

More info see also this report in the Croydon Guardian.

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

Vanessa-Mae is ranked the richest young entertainer in the UK, according to this years The Sunday Times annual list. According to the 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

April 1st 2006 Vanessa-Mae talks about her life and career as guest in 'Peschardts People' to be broadcasted on Saturday April 15th 2006 on BBC World
Michael Peschardt features Vanessa-Mae as one of his guests in his new 13 part program in which he offers an insight into the life of some famous Asian people. The show with Vanessa-Mae is scheduled to be broadcasted on Saturday April 15th and will be repeated on Sunday 16th and Monday 17th. Having a multi ethnic parentage and living in the UK, Vanessa-Mae' life has been full of multi-cultural elements and she talks about what it means to be a child prodigy, her loneliness, her fears, her cosmopolitan upbringing and career. Michael Peschardt meets Vanessa-Mae in London. See the the following link to the BBC World program:

Vanessa-Mae in 'Peschardts People' on BBC world'

I will try to obtain a copy of the show, either via the BBC World or maybe via someone who is able to tape the program and share the file.

March 23rd 2006 VANESSA-MAE SPEAKS IN SWITZERLAND: MY NEW ALBUM WITH A LOT OF ELECTRIC SOUND WILL BE RELEASED THIS SUMMER!! 

This according to the Swiss Blick Celebrity magazine that published a short article and interview with Vanessa-Mae. For the article in German language, see the following link: Blick interview. Blick magazine spook to Vanessa-Mae during her visit to Switzerland. We will try to get confirmation on the release date for Vanessa-Mae's new album as soon as possible. Keep an eye on this space for the latest developments!!

Vanessa-Mae was in 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. This year, money was raised for the struggle against breast cancer, a beneficiary that comes close to Vanessa-Mae's heart since she has participated to raise money on various occasion before. 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.

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.

March 21st 2006
Classic FM magazine features a story on Vanessa-Mae in their forthcoming April edition. The cover of April issue has a small insert image of Vanessa-Mae. The cover as well as the contents of the magazine is available at the Classic FM website at Classic FM magazine. The cover is also available at this site, see below (click the thumbnail to see a larger image). I hope to receive a copy of the magazine soon and will make scans available then asap.

March 2nd 2006
Vanessa-Mae is guest, together with many other internationally famous celebrities like Michelle Yeoh and Hong Kong model Michelle Reis, at an exclusive lavish private gala with an oriental inspired theme held in Tokyo and organised by the Mandarin Hotel Group for the opening of their facility in the capital city of Japan. For a full report and a photo see: Opening gala of the Mandarin Hotel in Tokyo

The photo shows Vanessa-Mae, dressed in an elegant black dress and high heeled black leather boots, posing together with Michelle Yeoh, Executive Edouard Ettedgui and Japanese royal court musician Hideki Togi.

Vanessa-Mae is a fan and regular distinguished guest of the Mandarin Hotel Group. She is part of the 'I am a fan' campaign of the Mandarin hotel Group to promote their facilities worldwide, see the 2 adds below that are available at this website: