Performed by:
ANTONY COOKE, Cellist
and
ARMIN WATKINS, Pianist
Sunday, April 25th , 3:00 p.m.
at PIANO SD
Friday, April 30th, 6:00 p.m.
at GREENE MUSIC
7480 Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA
Admission Free
Our Program
I
Sonata in E minor, Opus 38
1. Allegro non troppo
2. Allegretto quasi Menuetto and Trio
3. Allegro
II
Sonata in D major, Opus 78 (Regenlied)
1. Vivace ma non troppo
2. Adagio
3. Allegro molto moderato
Intermission
III
Sonata in F major, Op. 99
1. Allegro vivace
2. Adagio affettuoso
3. Allegro passionato
4. Allegro molto
Johannes Brahms
1833-1897
Johannes Brahms was born into the great Romantic Era of the 19th century. To many he is considered the logical successor to Beethoven.
The Sonata in E minor, Op. 38 is an earlier work than the Op. 78. Listeners will find it quite heroic in nature, while brimming over with optimistic confidence and lyrical muscle. The finale captures the towering strength of the great fugues of 18th century Johann Sebastian Bach.
The Sonata in D major, Op. 78 Originally the Violin Sonata in G major, this had long been more dear to Brahms himself, out of all of his output. Too ill at the end of his life to make it available for cello and piano (as he had wished), the work was transcribed by Brahms’ publisher, with input presumably by the composer. An intense passion and nostalgia of the work reflects the deep friendship of Brahms with his mentor, Robert Schumann and his wife, Clara Schumann. Because of the several tragedies in their lives, Brahms was known to dissolve in emotion between movements of this Sonata when he played it. According to Clara Schumann’s wishes, Brahms performed this Sonata at her funeral in 1896.
The Sonata in F major, Op. 99 perhaps the most popular of the three Sonatas, it is likely because of its regal flourishes, memorable melodies, and pivotal moments, that the F Major Sonata is so beloved. Less elaborately conceived and intricate from the inward-looking D Major Sonata, more fragmented, from the sonorous E Minor Sonata, the F Major Sonata stands as a towering testament to the aging composer’s immense grasp of new possibilities.
The Performers
Antony Cooke – Long one of the leading musicians in the Hollywood recording industry, and one of the most recorded cellists in the world, he has played in over 1,500 movies, as well as countless television and record productions. Formerly Associate Professor of Cello at the prestigious School of Music at Northwestern University in Chicago, he has also performed widely and internationally as soloist, and made many solo and cello and piano recordings, on both CD and LP. Earning artist diplomas from the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, he was also recipient of Music Festival, and “Young Musician ‘73”. In 1971 he was to become England’s youngest principal cellist with his appointment as solo cellist of England’s premier chamber orchestra, the London Mozart Players, and was a BBC soloist during those years.
Antony Cooke is also well-known author of books on astronomy, and has composed music for prime time television.
Armin Watkins – has performed and recorded widely throughout Europe and America. As concerto soloist, he has performed with major orchestras, such as Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Danish Radio Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony, Basler Kammer-orchester, twice with the Chicago Symphony as competition winner. His teaching career includes Michigan State University, Bradley University, and University of South Florida as both professor of Music, and Professor of Humanities. His musical studies culminated with a successful London debut under Louis Kentner, after being the very first to earn the Doctor of Music degree in Piano Literature and Performance from Indiana University, which followed graduation from Yale University, where he majored in both piano and violin simultaneously.
Cooke and Watkins have played together as a duo since 1971.
A concert of Three Romantic Sonatas for Cello and Piano
By Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Performed by:
ANTONY COOKE, Cellist
and
ARMIN WATKINS, Pianist
Sunday, April 25th , 3:00 p.m.
at PIANO SD
at 1233 Camino del Rio So., San Diego, CA
Friday, April 30th, 6:00 p.m.
at GREENE MUSIC
7480 Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA
Admission Free
