Bennet Huang ’23 MM studies Cello with Paul Katz and is the recipient of a scholarship made possible by the Gregor Piatigorsky Fund.

This is an in-person event with a private stream available to the NEC community here: https://necmusic.edu/live

16 March 13:10 GMT

Classical / Info-folk string duo Balladeste bring an exciting programme of improvised and written works to our professional lunchtime seriesA collaboration between violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks – an ever evolving musical partnership and deep friendship forged over ten years, Balladeste have developed a unique way of writing, weaving in and out of each other’s voices as performer-composers. Exploring the versatility and sound potential of just two string instruments. Balladeste creates a musical narrative that is both ancient yet contemporary, devotional whilst pastoral, writing original compositions that are vibrant, experimental, melodic and contemplative in quality – Songs without words with contemporary alt-folk twist.

Drawing on influences as far ranging as the singular melodies of visionary Hildegard of Bingham, the modal minimalism of Arvo Pärt, harmonic palette of Purcell via the minimalism of Philip Glass, Balladeste’s musical breadth is equally akin to the likes of Caroline Shaw and Liam Byrne as the Madras String quartet and Silk Road Ensemble.

Click here to reserve your spot for the free livestream.

16 March 8 PM EST

18 March

Online Programs and Events

13 March 18:00 GMT

Composed some three centuries ago, yet hardly known until the last 100 years, Bach’s Cello Suites have captured the imaginations of music-lovers across the globe. Unfortunately, they bear few indications of how they should be played, instead leaving the interpretation to the performer. As a result, it is impossible to know the full history of the suites, and this uncertainty has left them shrouded in an air of mystery.

In this fascinating masterclass, Steven Isserlis, the internationally renowned and award-winning cellist, invites you to explore the suites. As well as hearing excerpts, you will begin to discover the story of the suites – why they languished in obscurity for so many years, and whether there might be an underlying narrative to the music.

Steven’s book The Bach Cello Suites: A Companion is available to pre-order in paperback. You can purchase a book and ticket for the combined price of £58.52 including P&P. The book is due to be published in March 2023.

Registration starts at £51.83. For more information, click here.

25 March, 22 April, 3 June, 23 September, 11 November | 6:00 PM–8:15 PM GMT

2, 9, 23, 30 April 10 AM ET

Join Professor Peled for four 60-minute sessions via Zoom. This is a group class where you learn the principles and techniques found in his book, “The First Hour — A Cellist’s Daily Technical Regimen.” Play along with Professor Peled as he demonstrates live the exercises that will help take your playing to the next level. Each session is recorded in high quality and your registration fee gives you access to each session video throughout the duration of the course.

Dates: April 2, 9, 23, and 30, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM. ET (each session is recorded)
Fee: $500 USD ($400 USD for previous participants in the Amit Peled First Hour Online Courses or Online Cello Academy)
To Register: Send an email to Julia@ctmclassics.com
Required: You will need to purchase a copy of “The First Hour” book by placing your online order here. Please order by 1 March, to allow enough time for shipping.

For more information, visit the class website.

13 May, 16 September, and 2 December 2023 (Saturdays) | 6.00 PM – 8.15 PM GMT

Online Timeline Series – Cellist Catherine Black

We all want to be as rounded a musician as possible and that’s a pretty big ask. We all have our preferences, and the groups & orchestras we play in, take us down certain paths which enrich and educate us, but sometimes we find a hole in our knowledge!

The Online Time Line Series has really found a place in your lives. Join us to learn more about a remarkable piece of music, its composer, an era, its style that may otherwise have passed you by. Musical architecture, polyphony, phrasing, the place of music in society are all a part of this quest for a better understanding and roundedness.

We will play, discuss & explore from your – the player’s point of view – a particular piece of music from the wide library of Unsung Heroes Cello Ensemble scores. These now range from Josquin and John Taverner (1490–1545), through to Tchaikovsky & Elgar and far into the twentieth century.

Though there are some restrictions online, we can all play using the mute button, though not as a group. This is an exciting opportunity for players to have the chance to play as many parts as they wish as we play together.

You may want to bring a notebook too and I do send out further notes to help you continue the development after the class. I see this as a massive opportunity for us to do detailed work that really moves you on, because we have these apparent restrictions.

Just a thought: you may think a particular composer, (say Josquin for instance) isn’t for you. Don’t rule things out too easily as all these people, whose music I want to share with you, have so much light to shine for us. As cellists, there is so much music we miss because we have so much already written for us. This is an opportunity that I personally have loved developing.

Your score is sent to you on booking your place and there are 15 places per class so we keep the lesson small, detailed and personal.

Do look at all the parts if you can, so you get under the skin of the music.

Venue: Zoom (waiting room opens at 5.45 PM for tuning)

Fee: £25 per class

Click here to register and get more information.

31 July -6 August