Natalie Clein

Natalie Clein description

When Natalie Clein became the first female British cellist to record the Elgar concerto since Jacqueline du Pré, the record label released a YouTube clip involving flailing hair, lurid sunsets and dry ice. Clein politely but firmly demanded it be removed.

Never one for shallow PR, Clein is quoted as feeling duty-bound to offer alternatives to the culture of “loudness, shouting and fast food music”, but her approach is anything but elitist. Personable and articulate, she helps audiences understand the music, especially the 21st century repertoire she performs: “I want to inspire conversation... Some in the audience are at a concert for the first time and that gives me energy.”

A celebrated soloist with major orchestras, she has collaborated with pianists like Stephen Kovacevich, Kathryn Stott and Martha Argerich, and with novelist Jeanette Winterson, and choreographer Carlos Acosta.

Here, she performs with pianist Katya Apekisheva, described by Gramophone as ‘a profoundly gifted artist’. The program features works by Bloch, including his beautiful From Jewish Life, alongside the sonata by his contemporary Rebecca Clarke (who used male pseudonyms to be taken seriously). After a world premiere from Australia’s Natalie Williams, the evening concludes with Beethoven’s radiant 4th Cello Sonata.

Clein plays intimately, as if for herself alone. But there is nothing hermetic about her approach. Gently, insistently, quietly, she draws the listener in…and the results are thoroughly absorbing

Gramophone

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Participants

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Natalie Clein - cello
Katya Apekisheva - piano

Resources

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Full Program

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Six Studies in English Folk-Song
BLOCH Suite no 1 for Solo Cello CLARKE Sonata for Viola or Cello and Piano
BLOCH From Jewish Life
Natalie WILLIAMS New Work (World Premiere)
BEETHOVEN Cello Sonata no 4 in C major, op 102 no 1

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