The recital is based around “song” with the three more lyrical choices highlighting the different characteristics of despair, dream, and loss. The time period of these three choices spans the 19th century-halfway into the 20th century exploring the harmonic changes in compositional writing through the romantic, impressionist, and more contemporary eras. Bach’s 5th suite in the key of C minor, brings a turn to the baroque era, 1600-1750, and explores dance elements while continuing the darker tone of the program. Bach uses multiple voices in the writing that spreads through the range of the cello, while other movements have the absence of chords and use simpler rhythm creating a more mournful and desolate movement. It’s the only cello suite using alternate tuning: having the A string tuned to the note G called scordatura. Combined with elements of lyricism and rhythmic motives, the tuning and message of this suite continues the atmosphere and story of the recital, to convey a darker tone.
Bach’s Lunches are free and open to the public. They are made possible in part through the generosity of the Walker Fund.
Performers:
Described as a “brilliant cellist” by the Boston Globe, Harel Gietheim has impressed audiences and critics alike with his fresh interpretations and dramatic presentation style. Equally at home as both soloist and chamber musician, Mr. Gietheim has performed across North America, Europe and Asia. Orchestra positions include appearances as principal cellist for Symphony New Hampshire, Springfield Symphony, Back Bay Chorale, and Boston Masterworks Chorale. New Hampshire’s Hippo Press singled out his solo playing as “top notch”. Mr. Gietheim has performed as soloist with groups such as Nashua Chamber Orchestra, Keshet Eylon Festival Orchestra, Longy School of Music Summer Orchestra and Newton Symphony Orchestra. Chamber music performances include collaborations with artists such as Sharon Kam, Gil Shaham, Alexander Bailey, and musicians from Boston, San Francisco, and London Symphony Orchestras. Harel Gietheim was born in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel, and began his cello studies at the age of eight. His major teachers were Uri Vardi, Michael Haran and Eric Rosenblith. He participated in many master classes with renowned cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, Janos Starker, and Aldo Parisot. He is a faculty member at Manchester Community Music School and St. Paul’s School.
Abigail Charbeneau holds a B.A. in music from Skidmore College and M.M in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Illinois. She has studied with Pola Baytelman, William Heiles, Arkady Aronov, Adaleina Krivosheina, Kenneth Drake, and Reid Alexander. She’s a collaborative pianist at Plymouth State University, teaches piano at Saint Paul’s School and Concord Community Music School, and is the organist at South Congregational Church all in Concord, New Hampshire.
CCMS faculty Jan Fuller, described as “a wonderful cellist and musician” by Lynn Harrell, is a Concord, NH resident and began his studies at the age of five. He has performed across the East Coast as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, performing at prestigious halls such as Jordan Hall, Sanders Theater, Symphony Hall, Alice Tully, and Carnegie Hall. He has participated at festivals such as The Interlochen Music Festival, Tanglewood BUTI, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Heifetz International Music Institute, Aspen Music Festival, and the National Summer Cello Institute, working with artists such as Steven Doane, Uri Vardi, Lynn Harrell, Hans Jensen, Franz Helmerson, Ralph Kirshbaum, Christoph Henkle, Antonio Lysy, Desmond Hoebig, Darrett Adkins, Richard Aaron and member from the Ying Quartet. A passionate teacher, Jan continues to work with his former teacher, Harel Gietheim, as his assistant during summers at the Manchester Community Music School. Jan plays a cello made in 2007 by William Whedbee. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from The Juilliard School, studying with Timothy Eddy. His former teachers include Harel Gietheim and Natasha Brofsky.
