Podcasts25 Jul 2007 07:37 pm
Cello Journey #25, Beethoven Variations
In this episode we play the variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a theme by Mozart, “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen”. This is based on a theme from the opera The Magic Flute originally sung by a soprano and a baritone in a duet. Musicians in Beethoven’s time were very adept at playing and improvising variations. They could even improvise on a melody or favorite tune given to them by a member of the audience. Beethoven wrote many variations for piano solo and many variations for cello and piano. We hope you enjoy it.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Bravi, Luke and Ross. As always, you make the difficult look easy and you carry it off with élan.
Thank you so much.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:52 am
This is my favourite episode of cello journey now
Thank your very much for all your wonderful work.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:18 am
Wow, another great performance! The Cello complemented this piece perfectly! I am very fond of Beethoven’s expressive piano pieces and I enjoyed this performance very much, thank you!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
bravo!!!! (clap clap clap clap!!!)
August 4th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Wow that was so much fun! I’m going to go play it now!
August 8th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Luke and Ross, that was marvelous! I especially liked how big a part the piano was, and the interplay between cello and piano.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Thank you for doing this piece! I’ve been working on it and you video has really helped! I was wondering if maybe you could do the Myaskovsky Sonata in D major?
August 29th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Noah - Very neat that you are also playing this. I don’t know of a Myaskovsky Sonata. Thanks for letting me know about it. I am always interested in new repertoire.
Luke
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
You are a great cellist, I began playing cello but the bridge broke a couple weeks ago. I play violin, viola, piano but I will learn how to play the ukulele on my own in the beginning of November. I might learn how to play the flute on my own after christmas.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 pm
That is great that you are playing all those instruments. Maybe you can replace the bridge.
Luke
September 21st, 2007 at 8:12 pm
This was great as always. You play such helpful pieces. seeing a cellist play is much better than just listening to the recording. But I was wondering if you took requests? the Goltermann Cello Concerto no.4 by any chance? that would be awesome!
Matt
October 13th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Nice playing Luke. You display a rich warm sound in the lower register that is probably one of your best assets. I don´t agree with you in some tempo issues, but I can tell you know the piece well. You play it from memory. Good work.
November 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Nice playing! This is one of my favorite operas. I tryed to sing opera since 2005 but, it was not easy because you have to use different languages. I play the cello but I did not play that piece yet. Keep up the good work!
November 12th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Zachary - That is very interesting. I would like to hear this in a duet some time in an opera.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Can i get the music to this somehow?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Grace - You can order it at a place like sheetmusicplus.com You can also go to a local music store and (if they don’t have it) ask them to order it.
Luke
January 20th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
What a great Use of the internet !! You rock,
My daugther will be starting cello and I will visit this site often. Cheers !!
June 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I love your playing….Intonation, interpretation, all memorized…transition to thumb position, technique is fabulous….I wish I knew more about you…..where did you get your training? Do you play in a symphony? If not, why not? Only problem I have is that your vibrato is too fast… and on the internet, quality of sound is lacking.
So, I started playing 40 years ago, then took 25 years off, so started up again about 3 years ago.. I play duets with a member of the San Luis Obispo Symphony (CA), and in an amateur orchestra, but I must admit, it is difficult. I had a lovely French cello, which I purchased from my teacher in Kimberley, British Columbia in the late 70’s and sold to a member of the Calgary Symphony in the early 80’s. When I moved to California, after a number of years I purchased a German made cello at Studio City Music in Southern California.
So, I am in admiration of your playing and wish you all the best….keep the episodes coming, as I watch each and every one of them!!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Elaine - Thanks for writing! There is some info about me here:
http://cellojourney.com/?page_id=20
That is great that you started up the cello again. Please let me know how it is going.
Luke