It seems there has been a spate of recordings of Bach's Cello Suites lately.  Those of us in classical radio have discussed among ourselves why so many cellists in a relatively short period of time have decided to record the suites.

At any rate, there are two recordings of the suites I'll call your attention to:

The first is by cellist juliana Soltis. A relative newcomer to the music scene, this West Virginia native isn't shy about trying new things.  Her most recent album--her second--is called Going off Script: the ornamented suites for cello.  It is her contention that the suites actually call for ornamentation as opposed to simply playing the notes as written. She elaborates on her reasoning in the album notes.  That album came out last September, and is available from retailers.

The second recording I'll mention has yet to be released, but will hit stores in April.  Alisa Weilerstein's recording of the set will come out on April 3.  Alisa is certainly among the finest cellists around today, She said this about the project: 

 “I have been living with these suites since further back than memory can reach, and I have grown with them throughout my life with the cello. Great music is a reflection of life as it is lived, and this recording is a reflection of myself, in 2019, at 37 years old, steeped in and still discovering Bach’s unparalleled accomplishment.”

​

Violinist William Hagen and pianist Albert Cano Smit are releasing a new album, Danse Russe. In an interview with violinist.com, Hagen said that for this--his first album--he wanted to record music that was both artistically fulfilling and that his grandmother would enjoy.

You can hear Hagen and Smit perform selections from the new disk tomorrow, Saturday February 22, at 8 p.m. Pacific/11 p.m. Eastern.  A link can be found here.

​In addition, you can read the interview with Hagen here.

​

​(Photo by Dana Ross) 

​I don't think these happen too often any more, but I remember hearing about a thing called a progressive dinner--you go to one house for the first course (salad, perhaps), another for the main course, and another for dessert. I actually participated in one a couple of decades ago, but as far as I can tell the concept has faded.

But now we have what might be described as a "progressive" opera, in the sense that it requires that the audience travel to different locations for different scenes.  The opera is called Hopscotch.  It premiered in Los Angeles, and more details about the opera and how it worked can be found here.

At least no pianos were harmed in this case.

Pianist Eliane Rodrigues was preparing to perform in Rotterdam when she noticed a sticking note in the bass.  She called for help, but while they were searching for a piano to replace the one on stage, she decided to continue to entertain the audience by playing both while they were lowering the piano into the pit, and as the new piano came up!

This actually reminds me of an old Candid Camera stunt from many years ago, but this was real and totally unplanned.

​There's video of the whole thing here.

Defying the two canards that a) radio is dying, and b) young people don't listen to classical music, Britain's Classic FM has posted significant audience increases, especially in the 10-25 year old age group.

The station has shown growth in all dayparts and all demographics, and is experiencing it's highest ratings in 12 years.

​You can read their summary of the results here.

(Photo: Getty)

Famed pianist Angela Hewitt has--or more correctly had--a custom built Fazioli grand piano which cost just under $200,000.  She has used the piano in recordings since 2003.

She had just finished a recording session in Berlin.  Specialized movers came to move the piano after the session, and dropped it.  It was damaged beyond repair.

​Mored details can be found here.

Robots can do anything humans can, they say--even conduct an orchestra.  A few days ago, a new piece premiered for orchestra and robot conductor.  The robot even sings at times.

​You can read about it, and see video here.

Italian soprano Mirella Freni has passed away.  She died in Modena which was also the city of her birth.

Freni was a close friend and contemporary of Luciano Pavarotti.  Roughly seven months apart in age, their mothers worked in the same factory.  The two knew each other well growing up, and both of them went to Mantua to study music.

She died of degenerative muscular disease, and had also experienced several strokes.  She was 84.

​You can read more about her life and passing here.

Pianist Peter Serkin passed away over the weekend of pancreatic cancer.  He was 72.

(For what it's worth, I always thought of Peter's playing as just a little cerebral for my taste.  Nonetheless, he earned his reputation as a fine pianist.  His passing leaves a void.)

The New York Times writes about him in depth here.