INTERVIEW: Cellist Pablo Ferrández to make NYC recital debut at 92NY
Photo: From left, cellist Pablo Ferrández will make his New York City recital debut alongside pianist Julio Elizalde. The performance is set for Sunday, Jan. 26, at 92NY. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Michelle Tabnick PR with permission.
On the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 26, cellist Pablo Ferrández will make his New York City recital debut alongside his friend and collaborator, pianist Julio Elizalde. The performance takes place on 92NY’s Geffen Stage at Kaufmann Concert Hall, with a streaming option available as well.
On the docket are some impressive and varied classical-music pieces, including Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei, Op. 47” and Beethoven’s “Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69.” Rounding out the program will be selections by Rachmaninoff and Brahms.
Recently Ferrández exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox to describe the feelings he’s enjoying right before his big debut. The cellist is known for his Sony Classical debut album Reflections, which came out in 2021, according to his official biography. He then went on to record Brahms’ “Double Concerto” with Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Czech Philharmonic, under the baton of Manfred Honeck. On that second recording he also included Clara Schumann’s “Piano Trio.”
When he’s not preparing for a New York City recital, Ferrández is traveling the world, playing with some of the best orchestras in the classical-music world. This year that list includes the Munich Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony, Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI and London Philharmonic, among others.
Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How excited are you for your New York City recital debut?
I’m very excited to be playing a recital for first time in New York. It’s a city I love where the energy is contagious.
Does debuting in New York City feel different than debuting in other cities around the world? Is NYC the ultimate goal for a classical musician?
I wouldn’t say it’s different. It’s always motivating to perform in the great cities of the world. I guess one can feel more the difference in the people when comparing between countries, like how the audience feels in Tokyo versus Vienna or New York, but I couldn’t put one city over another. I do enjoy to perform in all of them.
What’s particularly challenging (and beautiful) about Beethoven’s sonata?
The third sonata by Beethoven is a masterpiece of the cello and piano repertoire. It’s a piece that frames exactly the genius of Beethoven, his capacity to bring all human emotions, from purity to drama, humor. The piece has it all, and it is a piece that as a performer you never finish [discovering] because the possibilities are endless. I guess the most challenging thing about it, or what my goal is at least, is to bring out all [these] emotions out of the score.
How did you develop this particular program? Why pair Bruch with Brahms, for example?
I wanted to open the concert with the ‘Kol Nidrei’ because it truly is a magical piece, highly spiritual, is like you and the audience are praying together. So I feel like we have all gathered in the same space coming from our respective lives, and this piece puts us in the same harmony. … After this prayer together, we are ready for the Beethoven sonata. A little similar thought process for the second half with the ‘Vocalise’ [by Rachmaninoff], although [it’s a] different character than Bruch. But my intention with this shorter, but incredibly beautiful piece, is to reconnect with the audience after the break and get ready for the Brahms sonata.
What’s it like to collaborate with Julio Elizalde?
I have played with Julio many times. Our musical collaboration feels extremely organic to the point that we barely need to say anything when we rehearse. We feel each other[‘s] intentions very clearly, and musically we think and feel in very similar ways. So it is always a pleasure to play with him. Besides, it’s never boring while performing. I like that he always tries to surprise me with new spontaneous ideas, and I try to do the same to him.
What’s next for you after this recital?
After New York, I have a very busy three months until I come back to the United States: a tour in Germany and Spain with the radio orchestra from Cologne, a full month in Asia, a United Kingdom tour — many things to look forward to!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Pablo Ferrández and Julio Elizalde will perform a recital Sunday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. on 92NY’s Geffen Stage at Kaufmann Concert Hall. A streaming option is also available. Click here for more information and tickets.
