Expert Opinion

Expert Opinion

After studying music for a number of years, it’s nice to pretend that a high level of expertise has been achieved…

 

When we were driving to orchestra rehearsal we were listening, as usual, to Classic FM.

 

When a wonderful cello piece was being aired, my cellist partner and I playfully started to make our assessments:

 

Cellist: “Oh, this is Dvořák’s cello concerto in… erm…. B… b minor.”

 

Me: “B minor? Oh yes, I just heard a sharpened 7^th there. Who do you think is playing?”

 

Cellist: “It could be Jackie.”

 

Me: “No I don’t think it’s Jackie.”

 

Cellist: “Why not?

 

Me: “Well it doesn’t sound like her cello. No, that’s definitely not the Davidov.”

 

Cellist: “Hmm, I think you might be right. Who do you think it is?”

 

Me: “Did you hear that? Whoever it is loves every note. I think it might be Steven Isserlis; he always loves every note. Oh. I think I just heard his hair then.”

 

Cellist: “You did not hear his hair! You just made that up.”

 

Me: “Well it might have been his jumper; a black turtle-neck if I’m not mistaken.”

 

Cellist: “Hmm. The sound of hair is very different to the sound of a turtle-neck jumper. Anyway, I’m not sure if Steven Isserlis has made a recording of this. It could be Rostropovich. It’s very passionate.”

 

Me: “Rostropovich? I’m not sure about that. The recording is very clear and clean.”

 

Cellist: “Well it sounds like Rostropovich’s fingerings.”

 

Me: “Yes it does doesn’t it? Whoever it is has probably used his fingerings, well most of them. The vibrato is different though. I’m sticking with Steven Isserlis.”

 

Cellist: “You don’t think that’s Rostropovich’s vibrato?”

 

Me: “No, whoever this is has more delicate fingers; longer and slimmer but strong.”

 

Cellist: “Yes, you could be right. It’s wonderful.”

 

Me: “Pity we’ve been talking through it. I’ve never heard it played like this before.”

 

Cellist: “We must order this; it’s brilliant, absolutely superb.”

 

Classic FM Radio presenter: “That was Dvořák’s cello concerto in b minor from a new recording by Steven Isserlis.”

 

Cellist: “Wow! We’re getting better at this. Can you order it when we get home?”

 

Me: “Yes, definitely.”

 

Cellist: “Now who’s this?”

 

Me: “André Rieu.”

 

Cellist: “Too easy.”

 

The Dvořák Cello Concertos CD has been ordered and is on it’s way - we shall listen to it intently and in silence when it arrives.