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Cello News
Camille Thomas Fills Empty Museums with Music
Camille Thomas says that her performances in empty museums are very symbolic. They represent the loneliness of musicians and museums without the public. She said: “Never give up creating beauty and giving it to the world.”
Composer Philip Venables Wins Ivors Composer Award
Congratulations to composer Philip Venables! Venables received one of the Ivors Composer Awards, previously known as the British Composer Awards. Venables received his award in the stage works category for his two-person opera Denys & Katya, scored for:
- mezzo-soprano
- baritone
- 4 amplified cellos
- tape and video
The libretto is by Ted Huffman. Here are some highlights from the opera, with the four cellos on the stage with the vocalists:
Interview with Mischa Maisky
Image: Keith Saunders
Cellist Mischa Maisky studied with both Rostropovich and Piatigorsky, he has a decades-long career, he’s in his 70s – and he’s still going strong. Read the full interview, “Experience the life, inspirations and iconic recordings of cellist Mischa Maisky,” and listen to some of Maisky’s recordings here.
Strings: Greg Cahill Interview with Cellist Jeremy Tai
As part of their series, “Keep Connected,” Greg Keep interviewed cellist Jeremy Tai, a founding member of the Konpeito Cello Quartet.
Tai’s message is one of hope. He told Cahill:
There has never been a better time to pursue your passion.
One of his two main projects during the pandemic has been Jacob Collier’s “Moon River.” Click here to read the full interview.
Britt Mann Talks to Cellist Ashley Brown in New Zealand
Cellist Ashley Brown. Photo: Lawrence Smith
Writer Britt Mann spoke with cellist Ashley Brown, the founding member of NZTrio. He lives in a c.1890 former community doctor’s house and plays a William Forster cello named Liberty – “Libby” for short.
Cello Music – A Comfort for Cellist and Listeners Alike
Erica D. Parker, cellist with the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College
Here is another story of people finding comfort through the generosity of cellists performing for the community during the pandemic. Tulsa cellist Erica D. Parker performed outside for her neighbors.
She said:
When the pandemic hit in March, I retreated into the place I find the most comfort and creativity – my music. As a professional cellist, I’ve used my music for service to others because music is a lifelong friend to me. This friendship is the place I stayed while we sheltered.
Click here to read the full story by Jimmie Tramel.
Featured in the News this Week: Cellist Ronald Lipscomb
Photo by Gino Guarnere
Philadelphia area cellist, Ronald Lipscomb, studied with Paul Olefsky, Bernard Greenhouse, Pierre Fournier, and Pablo Casals, and has performed under Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski, and Duke Ellington. He now teaches virtually in the Philadelphia Orchestra Community Services Program and at Bryn Mawr Conservatory.
Click here to learn more about Prof. Lipscomb in the full article by Len Lear.
Cellist Shea Kole Makes Moves in the Queen’s Gambit
Cellist Shea Kole, the principal cellist in The Venice Symphony (Florida), recorded cello lines for the score to the Queen’s Gambit.
Click here to read the full article by Jay Handelman.
Cellists Nick Phontinos and Christine Lamprea Appointed to Faculty at the Longy School of Bard College
Cellist Christine Lamprea
Cellists Nick Phontinos and Christine Lamprea will join the teaching staff at the school, effective immediately.
Click here to read the full story on The Violin Channel.
Podcast
Gramophone Podcast: French Cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca Talks about His New Album: Cello 360
Christian-Pierre La Marca’s new album Cello 360, the first of five for the label Naïve, focuses on the unaccompanied cello. Listen to the podcast below.
Click here to read more and subscribe to the Gramophone podcast.
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Videos
Bach – Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor Prelude & Fuge, BWV 1011
We recently noticed an Instagram account created by an anonymous cellist – and now this cellist has started a YouTube channel as well. This is not your usual recording. Enjoy.
Cello Cover by Helen Newby – All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
At first glance, we thought – “What is Emma Watson doing playing the cello?!?” No – this is cellist Helen Newby. ‘Tis the season – what’s a quarantined cellist to do? Arrange a Christmas tune and play all the parts herself, of course. Well done, Helen Newby.
Arranged & performed by Helen Newby Video by Pat Swoboda
Your Turn
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