Commenti a: Teaching and playing in Madrid and Washington

Di: Yvonne

Yvonne — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:57:14 +0000

Alban,
I was at your concert in Birmingham, Friday night. I feel like I was blessed to hear you. I am so thankful my husband decided to take me to the symphony that night! I was so moved. I cannot believe that I have been a lover of classical music all my life and have never been to the symphony. I plan to buy season tickets from now on! I logged on to your website to find a place to purchase your CD and found your blog. I just had to tell you how much your talent touched me. Thank you so much.

Yvonne

Di: Thomas Walter

Thomas Walter — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:32:07 +0000

O now i saw it, too. But the cover is much nicer than the one from the shostakovich release 😛

Di: Kate

Kate — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:36:26 +0000

Yes, Manchester is a great place! Very near to where i come from so close to my heart! Enjoy!

Kate

Di: Glenn Garlick

Glenn Garlick — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:30:35 +0000

Hi, Alban,

This is a belated thank you for all you did for the Kindler Cello Society while you were here.

The students who played with you in the Bachianas Brasileiras #5 will remember it for the rest of their lives. They are already talking about the performance with anyone who will listen. Their parents have been sending me e-mails to express their appreciation for inviting their kids to participate…and I pass that on to you because it was your playing that made it so special for them. On a side note, my student, Eun Jin Kim (she sat next to me for the Bachianas), just loved your sense of humor. She is not talking about the performance as much as she is talking about all of the funny things you did and said. She is convinced that if things don’t work out for you with this cello playing thing, you can always get a job as a stand-up comedian!

Thanks also for the master class. Several people have commented that it was very good that you played the students’ cellos for them. You were able to say things like: “Ah, this is more difficult on your cello,” or “I know there is more sound here if we just look for it.” The students could hear how much bigger and more focussed their cellos could sound if they followed your advice. And several of the listeners told me that they learned things they were eager to go home and try on their own cellos.

Last, your performances of the Prokofieff Symphony Concerto with the NSO were an inspiration. The cello section is looking forward to your next visit.

I hope all is well with you and I look forward to renewing our acquaintance in the near future.

Sincerely, Glenn Garlick
Assistant Principal Cellist, National Symphony Orchestra
President, Kindler Cello Society

Di: Alban

Alban — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:47:20 +0000

Hi Kate – yes, I know I will enjoy my time, always love to come to Manchester, but probably I won’t spend any time around Kendal, it’s the typical “in-and-out” kind of deal 🙁 Enjoy China and its food!

Hi Thomas, the Reger should be available as of now – two weeks ago in Washington some people already came to have it signed, but don’t worry, I didn’t get a copy neither. It’s on my page though, no sound bites yet, but the cover – the usual Hyperion painting thingy 🙂

Best wishes,
Alban

Di: Thomas Walter

Thomas Walter — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:56:28 +0000

Hi Alban!
Interesting to read about experiences with teaching ! … Well, actually I wanted to ask when the recordings of works by Reger is available? If I remember the right way it should be there at beginning of the year, but until now I didn’t hear anything from it.
Sincerely
Thomas

Di: Kate

Kate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:51:25 +0000

Hello Alban,

Not a reply to your post as such but just a note to say i hope that you enjoy your visit to the UK! I am still in China and am beginning to miss home. Returning in a few months though so shouldn’t wish away my time! I hope that you get the chance to see some of the area around Kendal as it is so beautiful.

Kate Whitfield.