I came across Tabakova's music a few years back and absolutely fell in love with this concerto. It is my favorite concerto by a contemporary composer. Slow gives me another chance to listen to it without phone in hand. Thank you for starting this thoughtful series to encourage others to listen with care, wherever they are!
I was mildly obsessed with Tabakova's 'The Rose Garden, by Moonlight' last year, so it was a pleasure to listen to this piece.
I decided to take the unusual step (for me, at least) of listening to this concerto out in the garden this afternoon, under crystalline blue skies, which seemed to enhance the clarity and intensity of the composition. I enjoyed it very much; almost a dialogue between the cello (in long, arching, lines) and the rest of the ensemble, with neither dominating the conversation.
If I was to suggest a complementary piece, a contemporary composition for cello, it'd be Leyfðu Ljósinu by Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Compared to Tabakova's concerto it's very sparse and minimal, skeletal almost, but absolutely benefits from (and rewards) a slow listen.
Hi Leah, we have been on the same wavelength... I've also been going down a Tabakova and Florence Price Quintet rabbit hole, and have programmed these two composers together in Brisbane for Sat June 27 :) https://events.humanitix.com/through-stone-and-light
My feeling about this concerto is that there is an urge to soar above, to pull away from the dark, heavy pull of the earth. In the first movement, 'Turbulent', the picture that keeps coming into my head is that of a rocket forcing its way into the sky, overcoming the insatiable pull of gravity. Striving turns to arrival as the movement closes, with an almost Sibelian sense of achieving resolution. 'Longing' begins with a wordless chorus in the depths of the strings; the unbidden, wordless murmurs that are at the centre of the closing movement of Mahler's Second came to mind. The cello's part has moved on from something insistent and becomes like a human voice, almost a liturgy, as the melody has a quality I can only describe as being something akin to plainchant. The opening of 'Radiant' felt radiant, sparkling and bright like the dawn light. I heard an echo of the prelude to Lohengrin in the first bars before the cello takes over in a new way, no longer paired with the orchestra but now out front, leading the way.
Thank you for the prompt and the reminder of this music. It's been unplayed on my hardrive to tool long.
Oh I love this description. I think that feeling of tension, of constantly trying to "soar above", as you put it, is precisely what draws me back to it again and again. Really glad this prompted you to dig it out - hope the series brings you some more new finds too!
I hadn’t known Tabakova until yesterday—what a wonderful concerto! To me, the first and third movements seem to mirror each other: in the first, the soloist struggles against the orchestra, while in the third that struggle has been transformed into a creative force, with the soloist now leading the orchestra. Perhaps the second movement, reflective and sorrowful, serves as the catalyst for that transformation into strength. I especially love the ending of the first movement and the choral effect at the beginning of the second. She seems remarkably gifted and intelligent in her orchestration. Thank you for introducing me to this work—I’m already looking forward to next week!
Ah I'm so glad to get to introduce you to this!! It's such a special piece. I also feel that symmetry about the outer movements, and the second feels like the heart of the work. That segue from first to second movement is magical. Hope you enjoy next week's as much!
What an amazing choice of first piece!! I was listening to Tabakova's Sun Triptych album yesterday on repeat so this feels like an extra special coincidence - looking forward to listening properly over the weekend :)
I came across Tabakova's music a few years back and absolutely fell in love with this concerto. It is my favorite concerto by a contemporary composer. Slow gives me another chance to listen to it without phone in hand. Thank you for starting this thoughtful series to encourage others to listen with care, wherever they are!
Thanks so much Timothy - I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
I was mildly obsessed with Tabakova's 'The Rose Garden, by Moonlight' last year, so it was a pleasure to listen to this piece.
I decided to take the unusual step (for me, at least) of listening to this concerto out in the garden this afternoon, under crystalline blue skies, which seemed to enhance the clarity and intensity of the composition. I enjoyed it very much; almost a dialogue between the cello (in long, arching, lines) and the rest of the ensemble, with neither dominating the conversation.
If I was to suggest a complementary piece, a contemporary composition for cello, it'd be Leyfðu Ljósinu by Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Compared to Tabakova's concerto it's very sparse and minimal, skeletal almost, but absolutely benefits from (and rewards) a slow listen.
Oh that's an EXCELLENT suggestion. I may go listen to that now...
Hi Leah, we have been on the same wavelength... I've also been going down a Tabakova and Florence Price Quintet rabbit hole, and have programmed these two composers together in Brisbane for Sat June 27 :) https://events.humanitix.com/through-stone-and-light
My feeling about this concerto is that there is an urge to soar above, to pull away from the dark, heavy pull of the earth. In the first movement, 'Turbulent', the picture that keeps coming into my head is that of a rocket forcing its way into the sky, overcoming the insatiable pull of gravity. Striving turns to arrival as the movement closes, with an almost Sibelian sense of achieving resolution. 'Longing' begins with a wordless chorus in the depths of the strings; the unbidden, wordless murmurs that are at the centre of the closing movement of Mahler's Second came to mind. The cello's part has moved on from something insistent and becomes like a human voice, almost a liturgy, as the melody has a quality I can only describe as being something akin to plainchant. The opening of 'Radiant' felt radiant, sparkling and bright like the dawn light. I heard an echo of the prelude to Lohengrin in the first bars before the cello takes over in a new way, no longer paired with the orchestra but now out front, leading the way.
Thank you for the prompt and the reminder of this music. It's been unplayed on my hardrive to tool long.
Oh I love this description. I think that feeling of tension, of constantly trying to "soar above", as you put it, is precisely what draws me back to it again and again. Really glad this prompted you to dig it out - hope the series brings you some more new finds too!
I hadn’t known Tabakova until yesterday—what a wonderful concerto! To me, the first and third movements seem to mirror each other: in the first, the soloist struggles against the orchestra, while in the third that struggle has been transformed into a creative force, with the soloist now leading the orchestra. Perhaps the second movement, reflective and sorrowful, serves as the catalyst for that transformation into strength. I especially love the ending of the first movement and the choral effect at the beginning of the second. She seems remarkably gifted and intelligent in her orchestration. Thank you for introducing me to this work—I’m already looking forward to next week!
Ah I'm so glad to get to introduce you to this!! It's such a special piece. I also feel that symmetry about the outer movements, and the second feels like the heart of the work. That segue from first to second movement is magical. Hope you enjoy next week's as much!
What an amazing choice of first piece!! I was listening to Tabakova's Sun Triptych album yesterday on repeat so this feels like an extra special coincidence - looking forward to listening properly over the weekend :)
Thank you :D Couldn't start with anything else, this is one of my all-time favourites. Very much hope you enjoy your weekend listening!