By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Jews seemed to be drawn to the cello almost as much as to the violin, even though that larger member of the string family was more difficult to transport. In fact, some of the greatest cellists in the last two centuries have been Jewish.
“Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library.”
Sharing in the introductions will be my special guest, cellist Marcia Bookstein, who recently retired from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. I have known Marcia since she was a young girl, playing in Meremblum’s California Junior Symphony along with my sister, violinist Zina Schiff. This talented cellist served as principal of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and, under conductor Jung-Ho Pak, as co-principal of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Many are familiar with her soulful renditions of Max Bruch’s Kol Nidre at Congregation Beth Israel.
Marcia participated in the masterclasses of Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976), a featured cellist on the program, and three of the others, Mischa Maisky (1948-), Nathanial Rosen (1948-) and Jeffrey Solow (1949-) were her classmates in those classes. Marcia also studied with Jacqualine du Pre (1945-1987) in London. As a member of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra under conductor Raphael Payare, my guest has often accompanied Payare’s wife, cellist Alissa Weilerstein and is well acquainted with her artistry as well. Marcia therefore will introduce Piatigorsky, du Pre, Maisky, Rosen, Solow and Weilerstein, telling interesting anecdotes about their lives.
I will be introducing the other seven artists beginning with Emmanuel Feurmann, who was compared to the great Pablo Casals. Feurmann was born in Galicia and studied in Vienna. He made his debut in the United States where he partnered in trios with violinist Jascha Heifetz.
The other cellists about whom I will speak will be:
–Leonard Rose (1918-1984), who served as principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic.
–Zara Nelsova (1918-2002), Canadian-born cellist, a favorite of composer Ernest Bloch.
–Janos Starker (1924-2013), Hungarian-born artist, soloist and principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
–Natalia Gutman (1942-), Russian prize-winning artist.
–Texas-born Ralph Kirshbaum (1946-), whose father, Joe Kirshbaum was once the principal second violinist of the San Diego Symphony.
–Steven Isserlis (1958-), British cello virtuoso.
Repertoire from the cello literature to be heard will include excerpts from Bach’s unaccompanied sonata, Haydn’s Concerto in D, Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello, Tchaikowsky’s Rococo Variations, Dvorak’s Concerto, Elgar’s Concerto, Walton’s Concerto, Bloch’s Shelomo and Jewish Song, and Chihara’s Wind Song.
This program is free and open to the public. Please register via Great Jewish Cellists: Oct. 30th.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.