Fest 08: Steven Isserlis-_12cellos
Date 01 November 2007
Media release
Take a Bow Mr Cello
Every symphony orchestra has its cello section, but rarely do you get the chance to hear the unique sounds and tonal
combinations that a group of cellos can produce all on stage in a marriage of music with one of the world’s best
cellists – Steven Isserlis.
For this special event Isserlis will welcome the cellists of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on stage for
performances of music ranging from Carl Vine’s Inner World for cello and tape to Villa Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No 5
for cello ensemble and soprano.
“The music world—and music itself—is infi-nitely richer for the presence of Steven Isserlis.” Gramophone Magazine
Isserlis continues to demonstrate an extraordinary ability to communicate with audiences and in doing so has established
his unique presence on the international concert scene.
The Gramophone Award-winning cellist is renowned among musicians, critics and enthusiasts, not only for his quality of
performance, but also for putting together intriguing and satisfying programmes.
Isserlis’ recording of Carl Vine’s arresting Inner World, a duo for live and prerecorded cello, has been hailed as
“breathtaking” for its acoustic performance. This is complemented by music from another Australian composer, Brett
Dean’s 12 Angry Men which was written as a celebration of the expressive qualities of 12 cellos and casts them as
musical versions of the 12 jurors in Sidney Lumet’s 1957 film of the same name. It was premiered by the 12 cellos of the
Berlin Philharmonic in 1997.
The second half heralds some of Isserlis’ favourites, in particular the arrangement of Libera Me from Faure’s Requiem
which was written by his teacher – Jane Cowan. Les Rois Mages by Pablo Casals is a movement from
his oratorio El Pessebre, which he himself arranged for cellos.
The most famous and popular of Villa-Lobos' works, Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 features an orchestra of eight cellos with
soprano, Sara Macliver and pays homage to the music of Bach and the folkloric music of Brazil. With two movements,
written seven years apart: an Aria (Cantilena), and a Dansa (Martelo.), the central section is sung to words from a poem
by Ruth Caladares Correia.
This programme will be performed at the Town Hall on Friday 7 March at 7.30pm.
ENDS