International Cello Day (29/12)

International Cello Day or Cello Day — is an unofficial holiday of cellist musicians and music lovers, which is celebrated annually on December 29.

The date chosen for this musical celebration is the birthday of the outstanding Catalan cellist, conductor, composer and musical and social figure Pablo Casals (Spanish). Pablo Casals, 1876-1973).

Pablo Casals, also known as Pau Casals, is considered one of the best cellists of all time and the first popularizer of cello as a solo instrument. By the age of four, under the guidance of his father, he began playing the violin, piano and flute. He mastered the cello while studying at a music school in Barcelona. Casals became a world-famous musician at the beginning of the 20th century, when he began touring Europe, and then in many countries around the world, including Russia, where he performed as a soloist and in an ensemble with S. Rachmaninov, A. Ziloti, A. Goldenweiser.

In addition to his concert activities, Casals organized Barcelona's first symphony orchestra (and conducted it until 1936), the Workers' Musical Society (which he directed in 1924-1936), a music magazine and Sunday concerts for workers in Catalonia. After the Civil War (1936-1939) in Spain, during which he actively helped the Republicans, the musician emigrated from the country. Since 1956, he lived in San Juan (Puerto Rico), where he founded a symphony orchestra and conservatory. He also co-organized festivals in Prada and San Juan.

Per Casals-composer belongs to the oratorio «Nursery», «United Nations Anthem», also known as the «World Anthem» for orchestra, symphonic, choral, chamber-instrumental and other works. The most famous was the Catalan folk «Bird Song» in its arrangement for cello and his Bach cello recording. He performed solo, as a member of ensembles and accompanied by an orchestra.

One of the largest cellist performers of the 20th century, Casals did not create a school in the generally accepted sense of the word, but his contribution, both to performing practice and to world musical culture in general, is invaluable. Loyalty to moral ideals and Casals’ uncompromising moral position were a model and guideline for many at crisis moments in the history of the 20th century. As a sign of protest against the involvement of a number of Western countries in fascism, the musician abandoned extensive concert activities. Presenting the Legion of Honor to the musician in 1945, French Prime Minister J. Bido said: «You — are one of the voices of the world's conscience». In 1958, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded the Medal for Freedom (USA, 1963), the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit« (France, 1971) and other awards. San Juan hosts the Casals Festival and is home to its museum. Since 1957, international competitions named after Casals have been held in various countries.

Returning to the « culprit of today's date, I would like to remind you that the cello (Italian violoncello, abbr. cello) » is a stringed bowed musical instrument of a bass and tenor register, similar in structure to a violin or viola, but much larger in size. The cello is not held in the hands, but placed vertically. This musical instrument has been known since the first half of the 16th century.

The cello has wide expressive capabilities and a rich performance technique, therefore it is used as a solo instrument, and at the same time is an obligatory participant in the symphony orchestra and string ensemble. It is believed that her presence is necessary when it is necessary to emphasize the tragedy or lyricism of the moment.

The cello's repertoire is very wide and includes numerous concerts, sonatas, and unaccompanied compositions. The most famous of –'s works are Bach's six suites for solo cello, variations on Tchaikovsky's Rococo theme, «Swan» Saint-Saëns, cello concertos by Vivaldi, Boccherini, Haydn, Dvorak. The most famous cello and piano sonatas were composed by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Poulenc and Britten.

Today, professional musicians can celebrate International Cello Day by learning a new work, playing this instrument for the public, meeting other cellists, or giving a lesson to a friend who has long wanted to learn to play the instrument. Well, if you just love the cello sound, listen to your favorite musician's recordings, discover new artists, or go to a concert.



Postcard «December 29 — International Cello Day» Story «Escape from someone else's husband»

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