Very interesting to hear about your stay in the UK and also how you approach pieces over and over. It’s someting i’ve always wondered about and with me i find it’s more an unconscious thingand difficult to describe so good to hear from someone else!! Hope that Manchester was fun – am looking forward to going there in a few weeks!!

Enjoy the Japanese food – although i hope you’re better with chopsticks than me! Used to work in a Japanese school in London and it was embarrassing when a 2 year old could eat tidier than myself!!! And living in China has not helped that!

Keep going with the blog – it’s interesting to read.

Kate.

Just finished reading your blog – fascinating to read your thoughts after experiencing your performance first hand in the stalls at the Nottingham Concert Hall…I hope you know more about us “Nottinghamians” than JUST Robin Hood now!!! 🙂

I wanted to thank you for a wonderful concert last evening. I had never seen a live cellist before, and what an experience it was! I have been listening to the Du Pre version of this work for over a week prior to this concert (I like to do my homework!). However to hear a piece live is such a contrast, and the emotion (not to mention significant technique) from you was very clear to see. I too, found the performance very “real” – you had me truly transfixed throughout. Now when I listen to recordings I hear so much more…the real life experience seems to aid my listening.

I wanted to comment particularly on your bond with the Halle Orchestra, as it seems so strong – I could really sense the link between yourself and the Mr MacDonald the Conductor, and the Orchestra at large, during the performance of the piece. The whole thing felt very organic, like you were one and the same, the dialogue between you and the orchestra felt very genuine and truly heartfelt.

I took a friend with me who had never heard the Elgar before and was new to classical music – your approach really engaged him and gave him a passion for classical music that I hope he will develop.

From two young men in Nottingham, thanks again for a gripping performance…I’ll be keeping in contact with your website from now on to see what you’re up to!

I hope you’ll come back to Nottingham soon!

Very best regards,

Ian