...
More news here: Face Book, Ida Riegels
Concerts with Friedemann Dipper, March 2016 - Rachmaninov, Vocalise.
This piece seems so short and simple, but what is it about?
Is it about love or is it about death?
This question kept us up, rehearsing all night. In the end we were too tired and gave up our investigations.
But maybe the beauty of this music is that you can not figure out, what exactly it is about?
Listen here: Rachmaninov, Vocalise
P2 Søndagsklassikeren November 29th.
This is a very interesting and entertaining radio program, and it was lots of fun to participate.
Frank Jensen is the host and we were three people in the jury - Anja Philip, Chairman of 'Forbrugerrådet Tænk', Peter Vuust, neuro scientist, and musician, and me - a cellist.
Mozart's pianoconcerto no 24 is a masterpiece, and we were to choose the best of five recordings of it.
The five versions told completely different stories, but for some reason, one of them immediately became a favorite...
October 3rd - 11th.
It was cold and rainy in Dresden that week.
But what is more warming than music and friendship?
I so enjoyed to perform, rehearse and spend time with Theresa Haupt.
Back in Copenhagen I realize, really how impatient I am for our next concert.
The oboes do it.
They make their own reeds. So why shouldn't the cellists build their own bridges?
After carefully studying all the cello bridges at 'Leipzig Museum für Musikinstrumente', I fitted a new one for my travel cello.
Good tools are half the work, and it would not have been possible without Rosel and Peter Haupt's help.
Check list for camping.
Tent
Hiking boots
Sleeping bags
Map
Flashlight
Cello
Canned beans
Water bottles
Gas stove
Matches
Sunscreen
Piccolo recorder
A success criterion.
Today while practicing Bach 3rd suite, I realized that my success criterion is the following:
- To hit specific points on a line (string), with the accuracy of at least a millimeter, around 3750 times. - With the left hand.
- Remembering the exact order of all 3750 notes by heart.
- Coordinating the left hand with the right hand, knowing whether each of the 3750 notes is an up or a down bow.
- Do this with eyes closed, or even better, do this while having eye contact with a big group of people.
- Finally the most important: Do all of this with so much ease, joy and confidence that the music is flowing and telling its beautiful story.
The most beautiful cello.
"Oh, it's so ugly, that it's kind of pretty", was the spontaneous comment from the violin maker. I don't completely agree, even though I know he is right. This old cello has an unusual shape, but I think its sweet, warm tone, and big smiling f-holes has put a spell on me, making me think it's the most beautiful ting in the world.
Take a look at the detailed portrait here.
July 21st:
Kirkestafet in Skt. Johannes Kirke
More than 250 people in the church tonight, all of us enjoying Bach's music.
Believe it or not, this bow is really good.
It is somehow emphasizing the deep overtones more than my other bows. As if it is speaking in a full registre, with a more deep, confident and honest voice.
It bringins out the best in this cello.
July 18th:
Triathlon concert
Why do I always forget to get a photo from the concert?
But this one is from the rehearsal in Frederikshavn Church.
Lots of people - quite a few from the campsite Knivholt Hovedgaard.
Not even the high heels and the concert dress could fully camouflage the fragrance of campfire from the cello and me.
July 15th - 18th.
"Jeg er så glad for min cykel,
den kommer hurtigt rudt omkring,
og det' fordi på en cykel,
der går det let som ingenting".
Dejlig sang!
July 15th:
'When the cellist is playing the flute... concert'
A mild summer evening in Frederikshavn. The orangery was packed, the sun went down and the audience was smiling. What else could a musician wish for?
July 15th:
The camping concert tour starts from Aarhus.
For about a week my cello and I are going to be travel buddies. We will be sharing both the tent and the bike, and hopefully get to know each other even better.
June 14th:
Triathlon concert in Østerlars Church.
I might as well admit it. I love old things.
The cello I play has a long and mysterious story, which I am currently trying to reveal. It goes back more than 250 years and tells about both dramatic operations and life changing love stories. It hasn't been an easy cello life, which might be the reason why it is speaking with so much depth and nuances today.
Østerlars Church is even more ancient. It is said to have been built in 1150, and some experts claim that The Order of Knights Templar made a secret room for their treasures under the church...
The acoustics in Østerlars are a real treasure and so are the people working there.
I can't wait to play in the brother church, Ny Church, August 16th.
February 22nd:
Rainy sunday evening in Stockholm. Still, in half an hour, my cello earned me a delicious dinner at the vegetarian restaurant next door.
February 18th:
First Triathlon concert in Germany.
I love playing these concerts - especially in great acoustics like the one in Tübingen University Hospital Chapel.
February 16th 2015:
Spent the day in Luzern with this amazing double bass player Bozo Paradzik.
Got a chance to look closely at his Derek High instrument. I am very inspired by the way it is set up with low strings which makes it as comfortable to play as a bass can be.
The sound he makes is like a super cello with an extraordinarily rich grunt.
Listen here: Arpeggione.
December 15th 2014:
A special invitation
Linda Burman-Hall is the artistic director of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, and the most amazing harpsichord player I have ever played with. The invite was to play a Handel Sonata by choice from an original figured base.
It was a great honor and a real pleasure to make music together with such a virtuosic musician. I hope it will not be the last time.
November 5th 2014:
On a two week meditation retreat in a remote mountain area, this spot served as a beautiful 'practice room'. The valley echoed with the sound of cello and bird harmonies.
To perform during a silent retreat is a rare opportunity; especially with an authentic Himalayan monk in attendance. I can relate to the violinist Yehudi Menuhin who said that his yoga and meditation mentor was his best violin teacher.
November 1st 2014
In 2000 the government of France bostoved John Hsu with the honor of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He is the master of the rare Viola da Gamba like instrument called a Baryton.
Spent a wonderful day with him and his wife, Martha, and learned about the different characters of an upbeat through music history.
October 24th 2014:
Preparing a Bach movement for next week in North Carolina.
I will meet with baroque cellist Stephanie Vial, who is also the author of the book: 'The art of musical phrasing in the 18th Century'.
When you tune gut strings in 415 Hz the strings are less tense than steel strings tuned in 440 Hz. This gives the strings a quicker response and richer sound. The music then almost plays itself, guiding one to natural phrasing and tempo.
I think playing Bach on gut strings provides a unique insight into Bach's mind when he wrote the Cello Suites. I'm looking forward to some expert insight into 18th century music genre.
October 22nd 2014:
'Breaking in' a new Ehlert soprano recorder.
The first time I heard this recorder model played, it was by Michala Petri. I was stunned by how powerful and nuanced the tone is, especially in the deep register. Last week I visited the Moeck Factory in Celle to choose one. I was very lucky to meet Mr Ralf Ehlert himself and received some advice in the choosing process.
To let the wood get used to the vibrations, you only play the instrument for five minutes a day for the first week, next week 10 minutes and so on. - It's so hard to stop after only one movement of Sammartini Concerto in F major. The sound of both the low and high register is already warming up and becoming very flexible.
You can read more about this special recorder and it's additional five tones here.