In this session we shall listen together to some examples of short pieces which exemplify the artistry and humanity of Pablo Casals, the great Catalan cellist. We can share our reactions to these unique performances and perhaps try to identify some of the characteristic features of Casals’s approach.

Some of these are amongst my earliest musical memories.  I was fortunate to meet Casals and hear him play and teach when there was a 70 year age gap between us.  (The age gap between him and his cellist wife, Martita only a handful of years less!!!)     

I suggest listening in advance to these pieces if you have time… for sheer enjoyment 

Haydn Minuet
Chopin Nocturne in E flat Op. 9/2
Dvorak Songs My Mother Taught Me
Tartini Grave ed espressivo
Song of the Birds - a Catalan folksong
Schumann Träumerei 
Beethoven Bei Männern Variations with Cortot

Everyone is very welcome to join in and I look forward to sharing with you my love of these performances!

[Participation in the discussion is open just for ChamberStudio players, but is open to observers who will be ‘muted’ but given the opportunity to submit questions. Contact us to sign up]