Bamberger Symphoniker

Can there be one voice that speaks all languages and is understood by everyone? In this case, it is the voice of a cello, and it represents the prophetic voice of Solomon. After originally planning a vocal composition, Bloch embraced the idea of using an instrumental voice for his Hebraic Rhapsody and rewrote it for cello and orchestra. First performed in New York in 1917, it has lost none of its musical power and relevance and has now become one of Sol Gabetta’s absolute showcase pieces. Bloch’s expressively vocal cello solo presents a perfect opportunity for her to play with full emotional intensity while also demonstrating her ability to create a musical narrative. She has found a kindred spirit in conductor Jakub Hrůša, who is well-known for his sophisticated programming. This evening, he has ingeniously bookended Gabetta‘s performance with symphonies by Beethoven and Martinů.