ABOUT THE CONCERT

Daniel Müller-Schott is one of the pre-eminent cellists at work today, decreed ‘a fearless cellist with technique to burn’ (New York Times). His celebrated career began after winning the Tchaikovsky competition at age fifteen, and has seen him become a regular soloist with all the major symphony orchestras in Europe and the United States, including the Philharmonics of Berlin, London and New York. Müller-Schott’s extensive and critically acclaimed discography covers a broad and varied repertoire, and points to a commitment to working with composer contemporaries. In addition to his concerto and recital performances, Müller-Schott is a passionate chamber musician: a regular guest on the international festival circuit, he directs his own annual festival in Vevey and counts Janine Jansen, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Renaud Capuçon among his regular chamber music collaborators.

For this recital Müller-Schott is joined by Russian-Australian piano virtuoso Konstantin Shamray for a program that conveys the depth and breadth of the cello and piano repertoire. Bach’s characterful Suite No. 3 in C for solo cello is followed by a dramatic shift in gear: Shostakovich’s unexpectedly neo-classical Cello Sonata, rich with sensuous lyricism that recalls Shostakovich the young silent-film composer. By contrast, Brahms’ monumental second Sonata for cello and piano showcases the work of a mature composer at the height of his powers, and proves a fitting end to a recital that showcases Müller- Schott’s wide-ranging virtuosity.

PROGRAM

Johann Sebastian Bach
Cello Suite No.3 in C BWV 1009

Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Sonata in D minor, Op.40

Johannes Brahms
Sonata for Cello and Piano No.2 in F, Op.99

ABOUT THE CONCERT

Word by Kristian Winther:

For this program – contrary to my own general philosophy of being anti-‘curation’, or in other words, of being against the modern norm of taking multiple historical works of genius and stringing them together in such a way as to unnecessarily impose the curator’s own artistic ‘vision’ of a particular theme or connection – Konstantin and I have created a first half where seemingly disparate works by Kurtág, Kopatchinskaja, Webern, Messiaen, Ysaÿe, and Debussy are closely bonded to one another, but in an intangible, unspoken, dream-like manner which elaboration might only cause to evaporate, and which while creating an invisible, unifying link between works, highlights the individuality of each composer. Rather than continuing this ‘curation’, the second half is of opposing personality, continuing on from the end of the first where the denouement of Messiaen’s piece bursts the thematic bubble, with Clara Schumann and Richard Strauss’ by turns lyrical and heroic works sweeping us through rugged reality.

PROGRAM

György Kurtág
Three Pieces for violin and piano, Op.14e 

Patricia Kopatchinskaja 
UniSolo 

Eugène Ysaÿe
Rêve d’enfant, Op.14 

Claude Debussy
Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano, L.140

Anton Webern
Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op.7

Olivier Messiaen
Theme and Variations

Clara Schumann
Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op.22

Richard Strauss
Violin Sonata in E flat, Op.18

ABOUT THE CONCERT

A musical odyssey spanning three centuries.

German cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and pianist Konstantin Shamray join forces for an unforgettable soul-stirring performance.

Bringing Bach’s beloved Cello Suite No.3 to life, the resonant tones of Müller-Schott’s music-making will swirl throughout the unmatched acoustics of the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. A delicate dance between melody and harmony, this solo masterpiece for cello sets the scene before the dramatic shift to the intensity of Shostakovich’s Cello Sonata. With the turbulent energy of its era, the Sonata’s brewing tension and passionate outbursts perfectly showcase the compelling artistry of these two great performers.

Finally, the luscious intimacy of Brahms' Sonata for Cello and Piano No.2 draws audiences into a world of warmth and nostalgia, with the connection between instruments, and players, taking centre stage.

PROGRAM

Johann Sebastian Bach
Cello Suite No.3 in C BWV 1009

Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Sonata in D minor, Op.40

Johannes Brahms
Sonata for Cello and Piano No.2 in F, Op.99