Sylvia Adalman Chamber Series

peabody founder’s day event HOMAGE TO a re-creation of the recital given by pablo casals at peabody on february 12, 1915 AMIT PELED, NOREEN POLERA, PIANO

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 8:00 p.m. MIRIAM A. FRIEDBERG CONCERT Hall

“It is a huge honor and responsibility to be playing on this historical instrument, and I look forward to getting to know it and to sharing its unique voice with audiences around the world. Growing up in a small Israeli kibbutz, I fell in love with the sound of the cello through listening to the famous recordings of Pablo Casals. Now, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Casals Istomin and the Casals Foundation, a dream has come true. I’m overwhelmed with excitement. The smell of the Maestro's pipe is still there…” ~ Amit Peled

Sonata in G minor George Frideric Handel Grave (1685-1759) Allegro Largo Allegro

Suite no. 3 in C for cello solo Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude (1685-1750) Allemande Courante Sarabande Bourée I Bourée II Gigue

Intermission

Variations in E-flat Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Élégie Gabriel Fauré Sicilienne (1845-1924) Papillon

Aria J.S. Bach

Allegro Appassionato Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Please disable all electronic devices including phones, e-readers, and tablets during performances. The use of cameras and sound recorders during performances is strictly prohibited.

Notice: For your own safety, look for your nearest exit. In case of emergency, walk, do not run to that exit. By order of the Mayor and City Council of . -16- a b

-17- AMIT PELED, CELLO NOREEN POLERA, PIANO From the to The pianist Noreen Cassidy- Europe to the Middle East and Polera ranks among the most Asia, Israeli cellist Amit Peled, highly-regarded and diverse a musician of profound artistry chamber artists performing and charismatic stage presence, today, and maintains a career is acclaimed as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the that has taken her to every concert stage today. At 6’5” tall, major American music center Peled started life as a basketball and abroad to Europe, Russia, player and was called “larger and Asian centers of Hong than life” when he enveloped Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and his cello and “Jacqueline du Pré Seoul. Recent performances in a farmer’s body.” Peled often include those at Alice Tully surprises audiences with the ways Hall, Zankel Hall, Weill Recital he breaks down barriers between Hall, 92nd Street Y, Jordan Hall, Gardener Museum, Kennedy performers and the public, making classical music more accessible Center, Salle Cortot, and appearances at Caramoor, Bard, to wider audiences. Tim Smith of The Baltimore Sun reflected on Grand Teton, and Cape Cod Chamber Music festivals, as a recent performance: “Peled did a lot of joking in remarks to the well as engagements at the Chamber Music Societies of audience. His amiable and inviting personality is exactly the type and La Jolla. She has recorded for Sony, EMI, everyone says we’ll need more of if classical music is to survive.” Audiophon, and Centaur Records. During the 2014/15 season Mr. Peled will continue sharing with audiences around the world the sound of the historic cello of Pablo Noreen Cassidy-Polera has collaborated with leading soloists Casals. The instrument, a Goffriler ca. 1733, was personally handed including David Shifrin, Matt Haimovitz, Carter Brey, Antonio to him by the Maestro’s widow, Mrs. Marta Casals Istomin. Some of Menesis, Aurora-Natalie Ginastera, Yo-Yo Ma, and Leonard the upcoming highlights with this historic cello include a 20 cities Rose. Winner of the Accompanying Prize at the Eighth US recital tour entitled “Homage to Pablo Casals” culminating in a International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, she performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, recording the regularly collaborates with laureates of the Queen Elisabeth, Miaskovsky Cello for Naxos, and a return trip to Asia for Tchaikovsky, and Naumburg international competitions. recitals and performances with the National Symphony of Taiwan to name a few. As an advocate of modern music, Mr. Peled will also Ms. Cassidy-Polera’s mastery and affection for the complete premier a solo piece written especially for him by composer standard cello-piano repertory is well-known, as is her Lera Auerbach. attention and dedication to the works of living composers. In recent seasons she performed ’s venerable Mr. Peled has performed as a soloist with many and in Sonata for Cello and Piano on tour in , , and the world’s major concert halls such as: Carnegie Hall and Alice Philadelphia, along with new works by Lowell Liebermann, Tully Hall, New York; Salle Gaveau, Paris; Wigmore Hall, London; Benjamin C.S. Boyle, and Kenji Bunch to critical acclaim. Her Konzerthaus, Berlin; and Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium. Following his enthusiastically received concerto debut playing the CD recording Sound Vessels (with cellist Scott Kluksdahl) Hindemith Cello Concerto, The New York Times stated: “Glowing features the recording premiere of Richard Wernick’s Duo, tone, a seductive timbre and an emotionally pointed approach to and works of Robert Helps, Augusta Read Thomas as well as phrasing that made you want to hear him again.” Elliott Carter.

As a recording artist, Mr. Peled will release his fourth Centaur Noreen Cassidy-Polera holds bachelor of music and master Records CD following three hugely successful installments The of music degrees from the , where she studied Jewish Soul, Cellobration, and Reflections. As an active chamber with Martin Canin. musician, Peled is a founding member of the famed Tempest Trio with pianist Alon Goldstein and violinist Ilya Kaler. Their Dvořák CD on Naxos has been described as “The best ‘Dumky’ on disc ever!”.

Mr. Peled is also a frequent guest artist, performing and giving A Founders Day Concert master classes at prestigious summer music festivals such as the Marlboro Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Schleswig- On February 12, 1857, the documents establishing Holstein and Euro Arts Festivals in , Gotland Festival in the were signed. Today we Sweden, Prussia Cove Festival in England, The Violoncello Forum in celebrate the generosity of our founder, George , and the Mizra International Academy and Festival in Israel. Peabody, and the thousands who have supported Amit Peled has been featured on television and radio stations throughout the world, including NPR’s Performance Today, WGBH this center of creative activity in Baltimore for 158 Boston, WQXR New York, WFMT Chicago, Deutschland Radio Berlin, years, and we honor the rich history of the Institute Radio , Swedish National Radio & TV, and Israeli National through tonight’s concert. Radio & TV. One of the most sought after cello pedagogues, Mr. Peled is a Professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the . -18-