Pianist Wu Han. Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, Artistic Directors of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, make their Lincoln Center debut as a duo February 28th
Strange, but true: David Finckel and Wu Han, who have enjoyed a long career as a cello-and-piano duo and who are among the most committed chamber music advocates in America today, have never played a concert together at Lincoln Center.
This includes the past two years when they have been The Chamber Music Society's Artistic Directors. According to Wu Han (see the interview linked below) it was not out of heightened modesty that prevented their debut as a duo; it was the scheduling problems of busy musicians.
Complicated schedules that include the fact that Mr. Finckel is also the cellist for the Emerson String Quartet (The quartet will begin their Shostakovich cycle at Lincoln Center, April 27th) and Wu Han who performs around the country as a soloist. Not to mention that the pair run a record label, participate in educational events and have commitments at other music festivals, including one Music@Menlo, which they also co-direct. Plus (is it hard to guess?) — they are married to each other.
In this highly anticipated concert, Wu Han and David Finckel make their Chamber Music Society recital debut playing three demanding works. Two great works of the 20th century cello repertoire, sonatas by Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, and a work commissioned for the duo by Russian composer Lera Auerbach.
David Finckel, Cello & Wu Han, Piano
Works for Cello and Piano
Prokofiev: Sonata in C major, Op. 119
Lera Auerbach: Sonata No. 1, Op. 69 (NY Premiere)
Rachmaninoff: Sonata in g minor, Op. 19
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Tuesday, February 28th, 2006
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center at 7:30 pm
It was in the middle of winter on a snowy day, she called us up at home and said “The Sonata is ready can I come play it for you? ” She came in, her hair was all over the place, matted with snow — she was a little crazed looking. She was very nervous and very shy, and she said: “Can I play it for you on the piano?” She went for the piano and started playing — and started screaming out the cello part. David and I sat motionless for a half an hour...
Wu Han on the day Lera Auerbach introduced the couple to her just completed Cello Sonata.
In an interview with Wu Han, we discuss the Auerbach Sonata, Rachmaninoff and concert audiences, and ask her if she has any good “Road stories?”