January marks 50 years since I started the cello at school in Cleveland, Ohio. To celebrate this anniversary year, I am compiling a blog http://britcellist.blogspot.com and am giving several concerts of different facets of the cello repertoire. The first, on June 3rd, was an Early Music concert, where I played cello continuo on a Handel Violin Sonata, but mostly played the Treble Viol. In the 70's I spent several summers at the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, and began studying the viol there. I no longer play the bass viol, but adore playing the Treble. June 12 was a performance of Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos with the Pittsboro Bach Society Orchestra. Dorothy Wright was my duelling partner. I plan to put a few soundbytes here when I get the recording. June 29, I will be playing the first movement of Elgar's Cello Concerto, and the first movement of Brahms' Sonata in e minor (my favorite key on the cello), with pianist Simon Zaleski. With my string quartet friends we will play the Introduction to "The Lark Ascending" and some favorite light classical pieces. The concert ends with the Cello Quartet playing "Home on the Range" by Tom Flaherty, a hilarious piece. July brings a trip to England to attend Dartington's Summer School of Music. I can't wait to be back there again, and I have my old room! www.dartington.org/summerschool Back in the US brings in August another anniversary - 25 years for Musica-Musicians for All Occasions. We are planning a concert to benefit KidzNotes, a Durham program giving under-served children an opportunity to learn a string instrument. FInally, in October, to celebrate my 20 years of teaching at the Emerson Waldorf School, we will be having a CelloFest and all EWS alumni and present students are invited to play. Contact me!!!!
