In this episode we play the cello concerto in C Major by Joseph Haydn. We decided to play it with organ since it sounds more like an orchestra and it makes a nice match. We are playing in a wonderful church called Mountainview United Church. We hope you enjoy it.

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In this episode we play the Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch.  This piece is based on a Jewish prayer recited in the synagogue at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  You can find out more information at the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kol_Nidre

The episode is re-posted because the video file was incomplete.  Sorry about that.  It should work better now.

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In this episode we play the Sicilienne by the French composer Gabriel Faure. I recently went on a trip to Quebec and had a chance to eat some great French meals. As a result, I did a bit of French cooking myself. I noticed that the common theme in this type of cooking is how ingredients tend to fit well together. A sauce will fit everything else that is on the plate. Flavors and textures go in and out of each other to create a greater whole. This piece is similar in that its melodies fade in and out of each other. Harmonies, colors and textures blend well together and undergo subtle changes. I hope you can sense that in the music.

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In this episode we play the variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a theme by Mozart, “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen”.  This is based on a theme from the opera The Magic Flute originally sung by a soprano and a baritone in a duet.  Musicians in Beethoven's time were very adept at playing and improvising variations.  They could even improvise on a melody or favorite tune given to them by a member of the audience.  Beethoven wrote many variations for piano solo and many variations for cello and piano.  We hope you enjoy it.

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In this episode we play the first of three Fantasiestucke (Fantasy Pieces) by Robert Schumann. This piece was originally written for clarinet and piano but I think it sounds good on the cello. Schumann often wrote sets of miniatures that each have their own mood. In this one there is some tension between triplets (three notes per beat) in the piano and duplets (two notes per beat) in melodies in both the cello and piano. This adds unrest to this emotional and romantic piece. We hope you enjoy it.

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In this episode I play another dance by Johann Sebastian Bach.  It is the Allemande from Suite No.2.  What I like about this piece is how it flows along and how each phrase seems connected to another phrase.  I hope you enjoy it.

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In this episode we play the Allegro Appassionato by Camille Saint-Saens.  This is a rather fast passionate and exciting piece.   Part of its passion is in its abrupt changes of tempo and loudness.  Even though it is exciting, it is in B minor and hence in a sad mode.  Also many of its melodies come down rather than go up.

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This prelude is the introduction to Suite No.2 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Even though this prelude is a bit sombre, I think it has a special warm mood to it. It communicates something about life being confusing at times and how it can be difficult to make sense of things. I think this piece is about trying to make sense of things and putting them together. I hope you enjoy it.

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The music for this episode is the chanson or song by Gabriel Faure called Apres un Reve (After a Dream). At the time Faure wrote this he was having a difficult time in his life. A woman that he loved broke off an engagement to him. Gabriel was very disappointed, gloomy and sad. He wrote a number of pieces that reflect this mood.

The poem that this piece is based on describes a dream with visions of heaven, being with one's true love, and happiness. At some point though the singer sings that he wishes the dream would return. Perhaps you have some dream that you wish would return to you. I hope you enjoy it.

The poem and its translation can be found on the website cellojourney.com

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In this episode I play the Gigue from the first suite by Johann Sebastian Bach.  It is a lively dance that ends the suite and also completes the suite on Cello Journey.  I hope you enjoy it.

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