The Prestige Series of the Endler Concert Series is proud to present Russian cellist Alexander Ramm on Sunday 2 June at 16h30 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch. Ramm, a silver medal prize-winner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition (Moscow, 2015), belongs to the new generation of cellists recognized for his appealing artistic creativity and unprecedented technical skills. For this concert he will be accompanied by American born pianist Bryan Wallick, lauded by critics as “virtuoso, brilliant and intense”.

The programme includes Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in G minor Op. 5 No. 2 and Britten’s Solo Cello Suite No. 1. Beethoven’s sonata, one of his earliest published works, contains all the elegance and grace of Viennese Classical style, but even though from his early period, Beethoven’s tempestuous and musically bold nature seem to be testing the conventions of his day. Britten’s solo suites, were written for the famous Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. The obvious model for Britten’s suites were Bach’s set of six suites for solo cello, and in fact Britten was inspired to write this music after hearing Rostropovich play Bach. After the interval, the duo will perform Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso, a short character piece originally for cello and orchestra and Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor which includes one of the most beautiful slow movements ever written for cello and piano.

Tickets for R160 (regular) and R120 (students and pensioners) are available now through Computicket and at the door. For more information contact Fiona Grayer at concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.

Programme:

Beethoven Cello Sonata in G minor Op. 5 No. 2

Benjamin Britten Solo Cello Suite No. 1

Interval

Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso

Chopin Cello Sonata in G minor