Instrument: Cello
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
Piece: Edward Elgar — Cello Concerto, Op.85, IV. Allegro
Why do you love to perform?
Stage lights are on and the audience is seated. Only thing left to do is go out there, breathe, and play. Performances are my chance to truly connect with the music. Unlike in the practice room, there are no do-overs. I have one shot at performing to the best of my abilities. The thought scares me at times, but I get excited for the one chance I do get. I try to focus solely on how my playing can be expressive. I always seem to play with a little more energy in front of an audience, a result from the combination of adrenaline and my love for performing. Also, performances are learning experiences in which I try to push my limits in music making. I am always impressed by performances of great cellists because of their ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and their ease in which they perform. One of my favorite recordings on Youtube is the Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata played by Rostropovich and Britten. I listen to it at least once everyday and I love their expressiveness and the time that the two great performers take in performing, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cello pieces ever written. I want to progress my playing to someday play with the freedom and expressiveness that great cellists have and performances are small steps in progressing towards that goal.
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