Steven Isserlis
As a cellist myself, and the daughter of a cellist I couldn't miss the opportunity to see the great Steven Isserlis playing live right here in Norwich. One of the greatest cellists of our generation, he joins Jacqueline du Pre, Yo Yo Ma and Julian Lloyd Webber in not only being the most competant and creative of musicians but also in discovering new music and sharing their passion for the beauty and power of the cello to the masses.
A sold out St Andrew's Hall is testament to how important this man is, and it's a delightfully mixed crowd, from eight year old to 90 year olds, with no doubt many fellow cellists among the audience. In the first half of the performance we're treated to perhaps the simplest and yet most dense music for cello ever composed - Bach's Solo Cello Suite no 1, followed by two tiny (and I mean less than two minutes long) picture postcards of pieces by Kurtag, rounded off with the Solo Cello Suite no 5. It's wonderful to see Isserlis' effortless playing, his physical movement only mirroring and extending what his bow and fingers are giving us. This music is by turns tragic, epic, playful, joyful and despondant, and we can feel this through his talented playing. He's not overdramamtic nor is he tentative. He gives it his all, and I get the feeling that that he is playing a role as both a conduit for Bach's intentions as well as adding his own intuitive interpretations of the music. I love the fact he's not afraid to use open strings (that must be an expensive cello!) as much as not, and his harmonics and chords are tenderly beautiful. After the interval, another short piece by Kurtag and the Solo Cello Suite 6 is played, and this is where his abilities really shine through, with the often fast or discordant passages played with no drama or self importance - they're just different notes. The crowd are ebullient by the end, and after several returns to the stage to bow and smile we get a stunning short slow piece (composer unknown) that draws the evening to a glorious close.
There's nothing as impressive as watching an expert play solo in a packed room, and to hear the silence between the notes, and to see a modest but incredible performer truly enjoy his work as if he was in an empty room. Nice one Steven, you're welcome back anytime. Plus such lovely HAIR! If I was going to draw a picture of a cellist, it would look like Steven Isserlis.
