@Mahler18601911 Alas, Mahler never seems to have conducted a cello concerto...
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Steven Isserlis
24.4K posts
Steven Isserlis
@StevenIsserlis
Cellist of (and sometimes out of) sorts, Author, Father, Lover of Indian and other food and of the Marx Brothers and other people who make me laugh.
Entrou em Temmuz 2013
735 Seguindo43.1K Seguidores
He played his 3rd piano concerto under Gustav Mahler and was greatly impressed by him.
Steven Isserlis@StevenIsserlis
Rachmaninov b otd (OS) 1873. Genius! A master of structure, speaking to us in a unique language that all can understand (if they choose). Steeped in the past, but utterly new; profoundly emotional, never sentimental; and with a radiance that at times borders on the mystical.
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@polymath1959 I once asked the composer Jorg Widmann about that. He drew his fingers around the shape of his heart. 'People who don't appreciate Rachmaninov must have a large hole here,' he said.
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@StevenIsserlis But Steven, why such snobbishness against him - much now abated, but you still hear snide comments...?
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Rachmaninov b otd (OS) 1873. Genius! A master of structure, speaking to us in a unique language that all can understand (if they choose). Steeped in the past, but utterly new; profoundly emotional, never sentimental; and with a radiance that at times borders on the mystical.
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Agree with the definition, objecting to birth date: His tombstone states April 2, 1873.
Steven Isserlis@StevenIsserlis
Rachmaninov b otd (OS) 1873. Genius! A master of structure, speaking to us in a unique language that all can understand (if they choose). Steeped in the past, but utterly new; profoundly emotional, never sentimental; and with a radiance that at times borders on the mystical.
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@StevenIsserlis But the orchestral introduction ist too long !
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Dvorak's cello concerto op 104 was premiered in London by a British cellist, Leo Stern, with Dvorak conducting, otd 130 years ago. What a work: a journey encompassing heroism, excitement, intimacy, tenderness, aching nostalgia and at the end, personal tragedy. A true masterpiece.
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@yovinceyo Well, if I personally had to choose just one (thank God I don’t!) it would have to be the Schumann. But I adore the Dvorak!
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@StevenIsserlis Is it fair to say that the Dvorak is the greatest cello concerto?
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@StevenIsserlis Not to mention that the TVs would need to be steam-powered.
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Tommy Cooper b otd 1921...
"Electricity is a wonderful thing. Do you realise: if we didn't have electricity, we'd be watching television by candle light?"
"You know, somebody complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said 'Parking Fine.'"
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@StevenIsserlis
@GramophoneMag @LoveInner @Mahler18601911
What wonderous article!
I will be listening intently to your new album “1851” tomorrow, first thing!
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Laurence Sterne (d otd 1768): hilarious, mad, surreal, brilliant - and wise.
“What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within the span of his little life by him who interests his heart in everything.”
“Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything.”
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Roger Norrington would have been 92 today. What a character - musically and personally! On his early original-instrument performances:
"We were often accused of knowing it all; but we didn't... It's always a strength not to be sure of your position. We had to search for answers."
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@maestromena Thank you for this beautiful (if sad) message, dear Juanjo. I'm so glad we got to play together last year - that was certainly a celebration! I - along with, I'm sure, all of your musician (and other) friends - hope to keep seeing you as often as possible. Many hugs.
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I am writing to you today to announce my retirement from the podium at the end of this year. Please see my full message attached. I am looking forward to conducting celebratory concerts with wonderful orchestras, starting with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra next week.
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Strange coincidence: for no real reason, I just decided to look up the composer Monique Gabus - and discovered that she was born 102 years today! I found this piece in a box - with no idea why I had it; and several years ago my son @gmisserlis filmed it: youtube.com/watch?v=r8m_HF…
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@StevenIsserlis @hairygit
"Mind my toga Brutus: you splashed."
--A winning entry in a long ago New Statesman Weekend Competition for "Gruesomes"; example:
"Yes, yes, Mrs Lincoln, but apart from that how did you enjoy the play?"
Another winner:
"Salome, dear, NOT in the fridge."
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Nothing changes! Thoughts from Julius Caesar (d otd 44 BC):
"In the end, it is impossible not to become what others believe you are."
"Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true."
"If I fail it is only because I have too much pride and ambition."
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Peter Maxwell Davies d otd 10 years ago, alas. Fascinating composer, educator, idealist - and the most amazing eyes I've ever seen!
"If you aim at anything lower that is expecting your audience to be really alert and aware, then you're going to be caught out sooner or later."
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@StevenIsserlis I am ashamed to say I didn't know Schumann had even written a Requiem. Or anything beyond liede for the voice. If I'd seen it in the record shop back when I used to buy LPs I'd have bought it on impulse. A quick google, and Op 147 is a mass. Is that good too?
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It's strange that some works which strike an immediate chord when they ARE performed, are so neglected. I just heard Schumann's gorgeous Requiem op 148 - everyone loved it; but when will it be played again? Martinu symphonies also - audiences love them! But so rarely heard...
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@StevenIsserlis Schumann is a great piece, no doubt. The vicious cycle...promoters fear the unknown, so it's not programmed, so it becomes even less known.
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