The acclaimed young Israeli cellist Amit Peled is playing a recital in Aptos on March 17, more about that later.
First, let's talk about Pablo Casals and his accident on Mount Tamalpais in 1901.
The great man, then a 24-year-old, was on his first tour of the U.S. and during his stop in San Francisco, he went hiking on Mount Tam. He fell and broke a finger. Besides the pain, he felt relief, thinking he wouldn't have to play again, conquering his acute stage fright.
He wrote later: "One of the most vivid memories [of the tour] was the day on Mount Tamalpais which had almost ended my musical career."
He spent several months in San Francisco, recuperating, his hand regained its strength and agility... and the rest is history.
Earlier this year, the Casals Foundation gave Peled Casals' 1733 Goffriller cello, used by Casals from 1913 until his death in 1973 as his main concert instrument. Amit's response:
It is a huge honor and responsibility and I look forward to getting to know this historic instrument and to sharing its unique voice with audiences around the world.Peled with Marta Casals Istomin
Growing up in a small Israeli kibbutz, I fell in love with the sound of the cello through listening to the famous recordings of Pablo Casals.
Now, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Casals Istomin and the Casals Foundation, a dream has come true. I’m overwhelmed with excitement... The smell of the maestro’s pipe is still there.
Before acquiring the Goffriller, Peled made his U.S. debut with San Francisco Performances, followed by his Kennedy Center debut. Peled also appeared with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, conducted by Nicola Luisotti, performing Haydn’s C Major Cello Concerto.
The March 17 recital, beginning at 3 p.m., will be held in Aptos' Resurrection Church.
The program includes Beethoven's Variations in E-flat, and cello sonatas by Brahms and Chopin.
