Mendelssohn Concerto in E Minor

Excerpts from a hilarious thread from Violinist.com:

BC: Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, blah blah blah, I might play it for a competition.

JH: Just remember to start it in 1st position, NOT 2nd.

BC: wait! start in first position? My teacher has always taught it in starting in 2nd position. What's wrong with starting in second?

SB: I start in 4th position (1st finger). That way you don't have to shift up to the e.

AS: Start it on the d-string.

EW: Starting on the d string? I think I'll have try that. Brilliant idea!

AR: I'm not convinced about starting it in 4th position. the G on the A string would be of a different colour than every other note in the opening theme, and it might stick out. I start it in 2nd. It's easier to get an immediate rich vibrato than with 4th finger, and also makes the following shift to the E more managable.

NT: Guys, you're all wimps. TRUE violinists start it on the G-string.

PV: AS...I hear what you're saying, but I prefer my method of doing the entire opening in artifical harmonics.

NT: Ah, But do you play the last movement entirely in upbow staccato...?

PV: Nope... down bows only.

JH: Play the first 3 notes like the bit in "Dance of the Goblins" on E, A and D string then a harmonic G.

LB: LOL JH! That's a good one! And let's not forget in the final movement to liberally add left-hand pizzicato in those up-bow standing spiccato notes!! At least every second note needs to be plucked! And the octaves on the first page must be fingered, otherwise you're just a sissy! :)

PH: Oh and I play the opening entirely in octaves followed by thirds (harmonizing) and followed by tenths!

SB: Greetings. You guys use fingers to play the octaves? Pathetic.

AF: I usually play those octaves as "toed octaves."

PH: I USE MY KNUCKLES! HA!

OL: i just think about it, and it starts making sound.

NT: I AM the octaves.