Cello bares its soul at new festival

Music

For 10 days in April, Elder Hall will become the hub for Australia's first international cello festival.

The Adelaide International Cello Festival (11-20 April) features a wide range of events aimed at giving the public a better understanding of and appreciation for the cello.

Hosted by the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music, the festival is supported by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO).

"Musicians and music lovers around the world thrill to the magic of the cello as a great stringed instrument with real personality and soul," said the festival's Artistic Director, Janis Laurs, Principal Cellist with the ASO and cello lecturer at the Elder Conservatorium.

"The festival will be a unique opportunity - the first in Australia - to celebrate this wonderful instrument, the rich repertoire written for it, the musicians who master it, and even the art of cello-making."

Among the festival's wealth of live music is the special Cellos at Lunch concert mini-series in Elder Hall.

Every weekday between 11-18 April at 1.10pm, Elder Hall will present hour-long concerts featuring artists such as: Lu Bing Xia and Wu Dai Dai from Singapore; Nicholas Altstaedt from Germany; Frenchman Michel Strauss; Natalie Clein from England; Chinese/Australian Li-Wei; and Adelaide's very own rising global stars, Pei-Jee and, Pei-Sian Ng.

Staff and students of the Elder Conservatorium are an integral part of the lunch hour recitals, which feature pianists David Lockett, Rodney Smith, Lucinda Collins, Diana Weekes and the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, as well as guest pianist Caroline Almonte.

Claire Oremland, Elder Hall Concert Manager, said the International Cello Festival was a perfect opportunity for music lovers to engage with music and the music-making process.

"Back-to-back activities will thrill audiences morning, noon and night as internationally renowned musicians will feature in recitals, chamber music, concertos, masterclasses, forums and much, much more," Ms Oremland said.

"Concert programs will be a veritable feast, ranging from the great and much-loved classics of the cello repertoire through to modern and innovative works.

"This includes two Australian premieres and Crouching Tiger - Tan Dun's concerto for cello and chamber orchestra known to most from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Other highlights of the International Cello Festival at Elder Hall include a daily Twilight Series of concerts, with many local and international guest artists including the Australian String Quartet, and four Evening Series concerts, including Natalie Clein performing one of the most loved of all concertos - the Elgar Cello Concerto - and world-renowned cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, who will be joined by pianist Kathy Selby.

The final Cello Extravaganza will occur in Elder Hall on Saturday 19 April. This concert will feature Le-Wei performing on a newly made cello, the result of the Cello Challenge being held at the Migration Museum during the festival.

Tickets to Cellos at Lunch are $6, available at the door from 12.30pm each day from 11-18 April. Special subscription passes are also available - for more information contact the Concert Manager on (08) 8303 5925.

For Cellos at Lunch program details, visit the Elder Conservatorium website: www.music.adelaide.edu.au

Check the Festival Guide for details of other sessions. For more information about the Adelaide International Cello Festival, visit: www.adelaidecellofestival.com