Pablo Casals Archives

A Cello Journalist’s Journey

In 2001, I found myself sharing a taxi with Dutch cellist, Anner Bylsma, who was perhaps best known and loved for his performances and recordings of the Bach Cello Suites. We were on our way to the Royal Northern College of Music’s Cello Festival in Manchester, which was the première cello celebration in the world at the time. As we discussed what his detractors were saying about his book, Bach, The Fencing Master, I couldn’t help but note how surreal it was that this was actually happening – that I was spending time with one of my cello idols. It had been 15 years since my cello professor and former Leonard Rose student, Toby Saks, had first played his revelatory 1979 Bach Suite recording for her studio. Having grown [...]

By Tim Janof|2024-07-05T19:57:40-04:00August 7th, 2023|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision|Tags: Mstislav Rostropovich, Internet Cello Society, Tim Janof, ICS, Journalism, Cello Journalist, Pablo Casals, Janos Starker, Anner Bylsma|

Opening Paths: Mexican Composer Ricardo Castro and Latin America’s First Cello Concerto (Part 2)

Español The Cello Concerto It is a mystery how Castro, who apart from being a composer was also a pianist of extraordinary ability, embarked on the composition of a cello concerto, the first written in Latin America. Although there had been associations between cellists and composers in important 19th century works for the instrument (e.g. Beethoven-Duport, Brahms-Hausmann, Chopin-Franchomme, Tchaikovsky-Fitzenhagen amongst others), Castro had no known personal association with any particular cellist who might have ignited his creative inspiration. Nevertheless, it is known that Castro was familiar with the work of the famous Russian virtuoso Karl Davydov (1838-1889), as he made and conducted an arrangement for cello and orchestra of a Lied composed by the Russian cellist. There are also documents in which Castro expresses [...]

By Natali Herrera-Pacheco, Horacio Contreras, and Germán Marcano|2024-07-05T20:08:21-04:00June 12th, 2022|Categories: Historical, Repertoire|Tags: Ricardo Castro, Latin America, José Joaquim Emérico Lobo de Mesquita, Mexican Revolution, Marix Loevensohn, Karl Davydov, Pablo Casals, cello concerto, Cello Repertoire|

Schools of Cello Playing: Russia and Armenia

Reprinted with permission from Interlude. Karl Davidov Another important school of cello playing was developed in Russia, founded by the brilliant cellist and composer Karl Davidov. Named the “Czar of Cellists” by none other than the composer Tchaikovsky, Davidov was born in Russia, (now Latvia), in 1838. Soon after his birth the family moved to Moscow. Davidov showed great musical talent at a very young age, but his father, a doctor and amateur violinist, insisted Karl not only study cello and piano, but also mathematics. Davidov completed his mathematics degree at St. Petersburg University before he focused on music as a career. Davidov’s first cello lessons were with Henrich Schmidt in Moscow and then Karl Schuberth in St Petersburg. Davidov, whose intentions were to become a composer, had [...]

By Janet Horvath|2024-07-05T20:10:52-04:00March 18th, 2022|Categories: Historical|Tags: Bernard Greenhouse, Julius Klengel, Alfred von Glehn, Gregor Piatigorsky, Janet Horvath, Joseph Joachim, Feuermann, Karl Davidov, Fournier, David Soyer, Russian School, Enesco, Diran Alexanian, Armenian School, Raya Garbusova, Hugo Becker, Davidov Cello Concerto, Mischa Schneider, Antonio Janigro, Franco-Belgian School, Carl Fuchs, German School, Leo Stern, Schools of Cello Playing, Hanus Wihan, Pablo Casals, Friedrich Grützmacher, Alexander Wierzbilowicz|

Conversation with Mischa Maisky (May, 2007)

by Tim Janof Mischa Maisky has the distinction of being the only cellist in the world to have studied with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. Rostropovich has lauded Mischa Maisky as "... one of the most outstanding talents of the younger generation of cellists. His playing combines poetry and exquisite delicacy with great temperament and brilliant technique." Born in Latvia, educated in Russia, after his repatriation to Israel, Mischa Maisky has been enthusiastically received in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, New York and Tokyo, along with the rest of the major music centers. He considers himself as a citizen of the world: "I'm playing an Italian cello, with French bows, Austrian and German strings, my daughter was born in Paris, my older son in Brussels and my younger one in [...]

By Tim Janof|2024-07-05T20:19:50-04:00January 17th, 2022|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Interviews|Tags: Gregor Piatigorsky, competitions, Mstislav Rostropovich, ICS, Mischa Maisky, Zubin Mehta, Internet Cello Society Archive, Pablo Casals, Bach|

A Survey of Bach Suite Editions (1995)

I recently read that there are over 80 editions of Bach's cello suites in existence with publication dates ranging from 1825 to the present. When reading this, my initial reaction was one of incredulity; what significantly different information could the 80th edition, for instance, have to offer over the previous 79 editions? Fortunately, I didn't stop there. I realized that this could be viewed as a great tribute to Bach and a testimonial to the beauty of his cello suites. So I decided to investigate some of these editions and get a glimpse at the insights of each player. The Bach Suites have always been a point of contention in the cello world. Unlike violinists and their solo violin works, we do not have a manuscript copy of Bach's cello [...]

By Tim Janof|2024-07-05T20:21:01-04:00November 30th, 2021|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Repertoire|Tags: Pierre Fournier, ICS, Manuscripts, Dimitry Markevitch, Pablo Casals, Diran Alexanian, Bach, Hugo Becker, Janos Starker, August Wenzinger, Internet Cello Society Archive, Editions, Bach Cello Suites|

Conversation with Bonnie Hampton (September, 1996)

Interview by Tim Janof Bonnie Hampton leads an active life as a chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. Ms. Hampton has been involved in performances of new music since the beginning of her career and has been active in contemporary music groups. She has also been the cellist of the Francesco Trio for 32 years. A student of Pablo Casals, she participated for many years in the Casals and Marlboro Festivals. Ms. Hampton teaches at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and, during the summer, at the Banff Centre and the Tanglewood Music Center. She has served as president of Chamber Music America. TJ: You studied with the great cello pedagogue, Margaret Rowell. What was she like as a teacher? BH: I started my study with her when I was 8 [...]

By Tim Janof|2023-01-30T12:51:24-05:00February 8th, 2021|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Chamber Music, Interviews, Pablo Casals, Performance, Repertoire, Teaching|Tags: Pablo Casals, Zara Nelsova, Interpretation, Contemporary Music, Margaret Rowell, Technique, Colin Hampton, chamber music|

Interview with Eva Heinitz (December, 1997)

Interview by Tim Janof Honored by Janos Starker as La Grande Dame du Violoncelle for her lifetime contributions to cello and cello teaching, Eva Heinitz is also known throughout the world for her pioneering work with the viola da gamba. She has performed in solo and chamber music concerts throughout Europe and North and South America, appearing as soloist with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Vancouver Symphonies. She is Professor Emeritus of Cello at the University of Washington. Eva Heinitz is the most powerful presence I have ever met, ever. At 91 years old, she has more fire in her soul than most 20 year olds. Her opinions are strong and passionate, and she states them with a disarming confidence. Born in Berlin in 1907, she grew up in one of the greatest musical centers of [...]

By Tim Janof|2020-11-25T20:17:31-05:00November 18th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Interviews, Pablo Casals, Performance|Tags: Pablo Casals, career, Hugo Becker, Albert Einstein, Viola da gamba, Early Music|

Conversation with Matt Haimovitz (July, 2003)

Cellist Matt Haimovitz has established himself as one of classical music's most adventurous artists, equally at ease playing the masterworks for his instrument in solo, chamber, and concerto performances in leading concert halls as he is bringing classical music to new listeners in surprising new venues. A teacher, a record label entrepreneur, and a celebrated performer, Haimovitz manifests his love of music not only in the seriousness with which he approaches his work but also with his warm demeanor and the natural expressiveness of his playing. Haimovitz has made headlines with his path-breaking performances of Bach's 6 Suites for Cello Solo. He struck a nerve in the music world with his unprecedented Bach "Listening-Room" Tour, taking Bach's beloved cello suites out of the concert hall and performing them in intimate [...]

By Tim Janof|2023-10-30T13:35:42-04:00October 29th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Beyond the Traditional, Interviews, Pablo Casals, Performance, Self Discovery|Tags: improvisation, Itzhak Perlman, Pablo Casals, career, Irene Sharp, Gabor Rejto, Ron Leonard, Leonard Rose, Contemporary Music|

Conversation with Bion Tsang (July, 1997)

Interview by Tim Janof Bion Tsang has appeared as soloist with the New York, Moscow, and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, the National, American, Atlanta, and Pacific Symphony Orchestras, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and the Taiwan National Orchestra. Mr. Tsang's career as a chamber musician has been equally distinguished, marked by numerous collaborations with violinists Cho-Liang Lin and Pamela Frank, frequent appearances as guest artist of the Boston Chamber Music Society, and performances at festivals such as Marlboro Music, the Portland and Seattle Chamber Music Festivals, and the Laurel Festival of the Arts, where he serves as Artistic Director. TJ: You studied with some illustrious musicians- Leonard Rose, William Pleeth, and Aldo Parisot. What were they like as teachers? BT: I didn't study long enough with Leonard Rose or William Pleeth [...]

By Tim Janof|2022-11-09T21:16:52-05:00October 7th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Chamber Music, Competition, Interviews, In the Practice Room, Pablo Casals, Performance, Repertoire|Tags: Leonard Rose, William Pleeth, Portato, Projection, Rostropovich, competitions, Pablo Casals, career, Aldo Parisot|

Conversation with Steven Doane (August, 1994)

Interview by Tim Janof Mr. Doane is on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music. TJ: At what point did you decide that you would dedicate your life to music? SD: When I was in my second year in high school, I told my parents that I wanted to train to be a professional cellist. They asked my cello teacher if he thought I would be able to make it. He said, "I don't know if he'll be another Piatigorsky, but he should be able to make a living." Of course I was disappointed that he didn't say I was going to be another Piatigorsky, but my parents were reassured. I ended up studying with Richard Kapuscinski at Oberlin. Then I went to Stony Brook for a couple of [...]

By Tim Janof|2020-09-24T03:04:40-04:00September 16th, 2020|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Bernard Greenhouse, Competition, Interviews, In the Practice Room, Pablo Casals|Tags: legato, Mstislav Rostropovich, Pablo Casals, Bach, Interpretation, Bernard Greenhouse, Teaching, Steven Isserlis, Janos Starker, Richard Kapuscinski, Practice, Jane Cowan, Portato|

Conversation with Zara Nelsova (June, 2000)

Interview by Tim Janof The second generation of a distinguished Russian musical family, Ms. Nelsova was born in Canada, educated in England, and is a citizen of the USA. She made her debut with the London Symphony at age 12, and since that time has regularly toured every continent, including her triumphant tour of the Soviet Union in 1966 as the first to be made by an American soloist. Zara Nelsova has appeared with virtually every major orchestra in North America including those of New York, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. She has appeared with numerous European orchestras including the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Royal, Berlin, and London Philharmonics, the BBC and London symphony orchestras, and in Warsaw and Poznan with the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with such [...]

By Tim Janof|2022-05-09T13:53:00-04:00October 27th, 2019|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Interviews, Performance|Tags: Pierre Fournier, soloist, Barber, Bloch, Schelomo, Zara Nelsova, Pablo Casals, Concerto|

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|

Conversation with Bernard Greenhouse

Reprinted from Internet Cello Society 11/28/98 By Tim Janof: TJ: You studied with Felix Salmond who also taught Leonard Rose. BG: When I was 18, I had to choose between entering a pre-med program or trying out for Juilliard. I chose to try for a Juilliard fellowship, which I was awarded, and I began to study with Felix Salmond. He was sort of a funnel for talent from all over the United States, since there weren't many cellists at the time. There were only eight cellists at Juilliard, as well as at Curtis, and each one was a very gifted player. TJ: Did you attend school with Leonard Rose? BG: No, he was at Curtis, in Philadelphia, though we were quite aware of each other because of our common teacher. I remember going [...]

By Tim Janof|2021-07-26T15:08:04-04:00August 11th, 2016|Categories: Internet Cello Society Archive, Artistic Vision, Bernard Greenhouse, Interpersonal Relationships, Interviews, Pablo Casals, Teaching|Tags: Felix Salmond, Leonard Rose, cellobello, CelloBlog, cello interview, Pablo Casals, Emanuel Feuermann, Bernard Greenhouse|

New England Conservatory Cellist Taeguk Mun Wins Pablo Casals International Cello Competition

Reprinted from Xinhuanet.com Taeguk Mun BUDAPEST, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) — Twenty years old cellist Taeguk Mun of South Korea, winner of the Pablo Casals International Cello Competition was presented with his award in Budapest on Saturday as part of the 48th Budapest International Music Competition at the Hungarian Academy of Music. The presentation was combined with a concert which included performances by Mun as well as second-place finishers Ildiko Szabo of Hungary and Tomasz Daroch of Poland, and third placed Santiago Canon-Valencia of Colombia. Mun performed Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129. He was accompanied by the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Janos Kovacs. Daroch played Chopin’s G-Minor Cello Sonata op. 65, with Maria Kovalszki on the piano, Szabo played […]

By Blogmaster|2017-10-30T05:10:12-04:00September 14th, 2014|Categories: Pablo Casals, Performance|Tags: Pablo Casals, cello, Hungarian Academy of Music, Hungary, South Korea, Taeguk Mun|

What Makes a Baroque Cellist — by Guy Fishman

I was once accused of playing like a baroque cellist. It was most certainly an accusation, and I don’t know what the coach was hoping to achieve by framing her opinion of my playing in such terms. Suffice it to say I was insulted, and the funny thing is, I don’t even know why. Okay, I was playing Brahms’s F major sonata, on a cello that had an endpin and two steel strings (the other two were wound gut). My partner was playing a Steinway M. Furthermore, and perhaps most revealing, is the fact that by the time I was being coached on this piece, during my second year of doctoral studies at New England Conservatory, I had already won a position with Boston’s Handel & Haydn Society, the nation’s [...]

By Guy Fishman|2021-07-26T15:08:11-04:00October 25th, 2013|Categories: Artistic Vision, Baroque|Tags: dual careers, Pablo Casals, Anner Bylsma, endpins, Brahms, curiosity, gut strings, Paul Katz, teachers, historically-informed performance, Beethoven, New York, interest, cello, academic, Jascha Heifetz, cellobello, Baroque, Matt Haimovitz, cellists, Boccherini, modern playing, Bach Suites, Carter Brey, prominence, performance, critic, Vivaldi, experiments, David Soyer, Yo-Yo Ma, possibility|

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