Today at dusk, my daughter and I went for a long walk in the fields. And as night fell, we both realized how silent we had been as opposed to other days when we alternated between endless chatter and laughter. So, I shared my thoughts about a particular piece I had come across years ago while looking through the recordings in my teacher's collection—a performance of the Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly's Sonata, a solo work for cello marked opus 8.
At that time, I fell in love with the performer's interpretation of this fantastic work by this remarkable composer: the cellist, Yuli Turovsky.
Apart from my fascination with string quartets and my love of playing them, it was this work and Turovsky's particular interpretation that introduced me to the cello as an instrument that can hold its own and tell its own story. During my studies, I also had the opportunity to perform many solo contemporary pieces composed by students at the University, collaborating with our composition professor, Dr. Kim. Therefore, the solo form, rather than playing with other instruments, became one of my favorites as well.
So, what makes this performance special? Everything about it. Technical and musical mastery. Storytelling at its best. Cello playing at its finest.
The piece itself is a complex and challenging work demanding much power and stamina to perform. And this artist brings out everything in it that needs to exist in that performance. There is no note unsung, no technical passage that remains technical, and the emotions pour as they should along with superb artistry. And the latter, just the right amount.
Naturally, there are other wonderful performances of this sonata performed by great artists. However, I have listened to this performance many times over the years, and each time it has been a learning experience, and that is what a performance of any music should do. A performance that grabs the heart but also keeps someone in awe.
The piece is played in scordatura, which means the instrument is tuned to a specific chord structure designated by the composer. And the composer incorporates folk tunes, which one can notice especially in the dance-like passages.
Therefore, this is my recommendation for listening for this week and for all time. There are other famous recordings as well if this particular one is not available, but it is certainly worth the find.
Do you have a favorite performance of pieces like the interpretation of this work is for me? Please share in the comments below.
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