I am playing the Shostakovich Piano Trio at Teatro Mancinelli on Tuesday with two women. The violinist has worked professionally with several chamber groups (touring Europe and the States) and has studied this piece inside and out. She has been very encouraging. The pianist is the director of the festival, she is an incredible musician. At first I was intimidated by playing with people who were much more experienced with playing chamber music and have performed the Shostakovich Piano Trio some 20-30 times. Both Lauren and Nyhila have been really patient with me and I have learned so much from them in such a short amount of time. Because of our expected proficiency level our group has been re-allotted extra time for a concert next Tuesday. I had prepared the 1st movement before coming to Italy.
Elinor has asked us to play all 4 mvts. on Tuesday.
As my chamber coach she has been giving me an hour lesson every day (she's only required to give me one a week). We have been working of course on the Trio stuff but we have also been diving into Baroque cello sonatas (pre-Bach composers). She has taught me how to use a baroque bow, which has it's own learning "curve" as well as how to play without the endpin. This is the traditional style and can also be used when playing the Bach Cello Suites. Elinor is from Montreal but she actually spends quite a bit of time in Ithaca teaching, so we have already been talking about studying and getting together to play Baroque cello duets. They're really fun. I am kind of nerding out over here!
A doppo,
Daniel
