Music on Thursdays
Jacqueline Phillips, cello Julian Metzger, cello |
2015 Season Sponsor: Patricia Morgan Optician Supported by: Leatherhead Concert & Arts Society |
Programme
David Popper (1843-1913) from Suite for Two cellos, Op 16 Prelude - Andante grazioso Bernhard Romberg (1767-1841) Grand Duo Op 36, No 1 I Largo - Allegro II Adagio III Vivace |
Reinhold Glière (1875-1956)
from Ten Duos for two Cellos, Op 53 Duo No 1 in C major, Commodo Duo No 2 in E minor, Leggiero Duo No 8 in F major, Giocoso Duo No10 in C major, Capricioso Antonin Kraft (1752-1820) Duo for two Celli, Op 6 I Allegro moderato II Adagio sostenuto III Rondo - Tempo comodo |
Jacqueline Phillips, cello
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Julian Metzger, cello
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A brilliant ‘cellist from an early age, Jacqueline Phillips studied with legendary teachers including William Pleeth, Amaryllis Fleming, Aldo Perisot, Joan Dickson and has emerged as an extraordinarily versatile and well-rounded musician; undoubtedly one of the finest British ‘cellists of her generation, with a career that has taken her round the world, including a trip to Italy to win the Rovere d’Oro International competition in Genoa. She is in much demand as a free-lance chamber and orchestral musician, guest leading the Irish Chamber Orchestra, guest sub-principle of BBC Phil and guest co- leading the B B C National Orchestra of Wales and BBC Concert Orchestra. She founded her own group known as the Brook Ensemble and this special ensemble is the first small group to have continually given a portion of the fees to cancer charities most recently Marie Curie Cancer Care. Recently Jacqueline, in her efforts to push the boundaries of cello technique, has specialised in adapting known violin virtuoso solos, performances including Saint-Saens “Rondo Capriccioso” and other violin virtuoso concert pieces ! And she continues with a schedule of performances in symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles. |
The charismatic cellist Julian Metzger is often praised for giving both technically and musically exciting performances. Drawing on a rare depth of emotions he delivers exhilarating and inspired interpretations whilst faithfully communicating the composer's message. Wherever he plays he delights audiences with his rich palate of sound colours, treating the listener to both standard and lesser-known masterworks played with absolute conviction. Julian Metzger started playing the cello at the tender age of five. He gave his first public performance three years later and further concerts within Germany followed soon after. Since 1990 Julian has been living in England, where he first studied the cello and chamber music with Ioan Davies at Wells Cathedral School and soon after made his London debut at the Purcell Room. Thereafter he continued his studies with Stefan Popov at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. While there he was twice invited to perform a series of recitals in Hong Kong and record for Radio Television Hong Kong. After completing his studies at the Guildhall Julian continued to study privately with Raphael Wallfisch and Stefan Popov for a further two years. In addition to his lessons with the aforementioned cellists Julian also received inspiration and guidance by taking part in cello and chamber music masterclasses given by Hans Erik Deckert, David Strange, Yfrah Neaman, Paul Roberts, Philippe Barry, Steven Doan, David Dolan and Norbert Brainin of the Amadeus Quartet. Since graduating Julian has been busy performing virtually the entire standard concerto repertoire as well as some lesser known works such as those by Tartini, C.P.E. Bach, Kabalevsky, Monn, Miaskovsky and Shostakovich's second concerto. Conductors he has worked with include Robert Secret, Adrian Brown, Michael Rose, Anthony Weeden and Jacques Cohen. Along with regular concerts in the United Kingdom Julian has played throughout Europe and the Far East and he is also a frequent performer at festivals such as the Buckingham Summer Festival, Beaminster Festival, Malcolm Arnold Festival and the International Casals Festival in El Vendrell, Spain. |
Concert at Home
If you are unable to come along to today's concert, here instead is a selection of links to recordings of the same or similar works for your listening enjoyment.
Duo Janigro - cellists Amadeo Cicchese and Paolo Bonomini - play today's opening Prelude, by David Popper:
Duo Janigro - cellists Amadeo Cicchese and Paolo Bonomini - play today's opening Prelude, by David Popper:
Unable to find an online recording of the Romberg duo, here instead is an arrangement of his
E minor Cello Sonata Op 38 No1, for 13 cellos:
E minor Cello Sonata Op 38 No1, for 13 cellos:
At the concert we only have time to hear four of Gliere's ten duos, but here is a link to the full set.
If you would like to follow the score while listening, then please click the button on the right first:
If you would like to follow the score while listening, then please click the button on the right first:
And to close we stray again from the day's programme and offer you instead a recording of Antonin Kraft's
C major Cello Concerto, Opus 4, played by Jiří Hošek, with the Prague Symphony Orchestra:
C major Cello Concerto, Opus 4, played by Jiří Hošek, with the Prague Symphony Orchestra:
We hope you have enjoyed your "Concert at Home"
2 Cellos
Synchronised, stereophonic,
rich and sonorous,
their bows glide in tandem,
breathing together in great waves –
multidimensional sound
cloaks our ears from all sides,
echoes the colours of visual impact:
purple dress, blue shirt and tie,
dark browns and yellows of vibrating, shaped wood;
fingerboards' full expression
projects and floats beyond all bounds.
With alternating notes, high and low:
harmonics, pizzicato,
seamless legato,
repartee from instrument to instrument;
in relaxed exuberance and joy
these two players meld into One,
yet each remains distinct and separate,
each contributes a vital part
to a Whole which is more than their sum.
Peter Horsfield 15/5/2015
Inspired by the lunchtime concert given at Leatherhead Methodist Church
on 14th May 2015 by Jacqueline Phillips and Julian Metzger
on 14th May 2015 by Jacqueline Phillips and Julian Metzger
