Andre Navarra Archives

Schools of Cello Playing: France

Reprinted with permission from Interlude. Martin Berteau Like the German school of cello playing, the French School had a centuries-long impact, which continues today. When we think of French playing, refinement, finesse, and elegance come to mind, but during the 18th Century in Northern Europe the cello was still considered a lowly, rudimentary instrument compared to the viola da gamba. The French cello school evolved due to the exquisite playing of Martin Berteau (circa 1700-71). Despite maintaining the underhand bow-hold of the gamba, his sweet tone and depth of expression greatly influenced his students, Jean Pierre Duport, Tillière, and Jean Baptiste Cupis. Berteau developed an effortless fingering system, incorporating the use of the thumb, and introducing the use of both natural and artificial harmonics, which was quite unusual [...]

By Janet Horvath|2024-01-07T22:40:18-05:00March 6th, 2022|Categories: Historical, Artistic Vision, Performance|Tags: Eleanor Aller, French, Bernard Greenhouse, French Cello School, Leonard Rose, Jean Louis Duport, Joseph Platel, Pierre Fournier, Adrien François Servais, Felix Salmond, Auguste Franchomme, Paul Tortelier, Chopin, Andre Navarra, Jules Delsart, Maurice Gendron, Paul Bazelaire, Frank Miller, Elsa Hilger|

Conversation with Pieter Wispelwey (April, 2002)

Interview by Tim Janof Pieter Wispelwey is one of the first of a generation of performers equally adept on either the 'authentic' or modern cello. His expert stylistic knowledge, augmented by a phenomenal technique enable him to render individual, yet remarkable interpretations of the cello repertoire from J.S. Bach to Elliott Carter. For years now, he has won the hearts of critics and public alike with his unique performances of the Bach and Britten unaccompanied cello suites, and with his recitals of the Beethoven and Brahms sonatas either on baroque or modern instruments. Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, Wispelwey's diverse musical personality is rooted in the training he received -- from early years with Dicky Boeke and Anner Bylsma in Amsterdam to studies with Paul Katz in the USA and William [...]

By Tim Janof|2023-11-30T17:41:19-05:00January 6th, 2021|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Interviews, Performance, Repertoire|Tags: Paul Katz, Anner Bylsma, Bach Cello Suites, William Pleeth, Andre Navarra, Dicky Boeke, Schumann Cello Concerto|

Conversation with Robert Cohen (December, 2000)

Interview by Tim Janof British cellist Robert Cohen is firmly established as one of the world's leading soloists. His career takes him on major tours of the USA, Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the UK, performing with conductors such as Abbado, Jansons, Marriner, Masur, Muti, Rattle, and Sinopoli. Cohen made his concert debut at London's Royal Festival Hall playing a Boccherini concerto at the age of 12. His prodigy was nurtured by the great pedagogue William Pleeth. He also took part in classes with Jacqueline du Pré, André Navarra, and Mstislav Rostropovich. At the age of 19, after winning several major international competitions, he made his recording debut -- Elgar's cello concerto with Del Mar and the London Philharmonic -- which received several awards and has [...]

By Tim Janof|2020-10-01T00:39:46-04:00September 24th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Performance, Playing Healthy, Self Discovery|Tags: bow technique, Mstislav Rostropovich, Jacqueline du Pré, William Pleeth, Andre Navarra, Daniel Barenboim, David Oistrakh, Technique|

Conversation with Gerhard Mantel (February, 2000)

Interview by Tim Janof Gerhard Mantel is perhaps best known as the author of the book, Cello Technique -- Principles and Forms of Movement. He recently published his second book, Cello Üben (Cello Practice), which is currently published in German by Schott, and has quickly become a standard text in German-speaking countries; an English version will soon be published as an "e-book" by http://www.rugeri.com. He has published a set of duos for students and teachers called "25 Duettudes," each of which addresses particular technical issues for intermediate students. He has also published a cello method for children, Cello mit Spass und Hugo. He is president of the German chapter of European String Teachers' Association (ESTA). After his studies with August Eichhorn, he continued working with Pierre Fournier, Paul Tortelier, Maurice [...]

By Tim Janof|2021-07-11T18:41:29-04:00October 27th, 2019|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Interviews, Performance|Tags: Technique, Gerhard Mantel, Paul Tortelier, Andre Navarra, Pablo Casals|