"ROOTS: ROMANTIC WORKS FOR CELLO & PIANO" (Album Release Concert) Following acclaimed performances in Portland and Chicago, local artists British Cellist Sophie Webber and Indonesian-born pianist, Ines Irawati, join forces for this celebratory San Diego album release concert of romantic music for cello and piano, in the beautiful setting and acoustic of Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church. "The energy they bring to their playing seems to jump right out from your loudspeakers and leave traces of happiness in the air." ~Preview of "Roots" from Classical Candor In the words of Ines and Sophie... "Our vision for our new album, "Roots," was to bring together a collection of favourite romantic works from the Cello and Piano literature which are all transcriptions from another instrumentation. Originally composed for voice (Fauré, Liszt and Falla), violin (Brahms and Massenet), and clarinet (Schumann), we felt the reinstrumentation of these works exemplifies the versatility of the Cello and Piano. Furthermore, we felt it allows for a certain freshness of interpretation, while still being cognizant of the composers original writing and the expressive qualities of the instrument/voice for which each work was initially conceived." PROGRAM: Johannes BRAHMS ~Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Major, Op. 78 (arr. by Paul Klengel from Sonata no. 1 for Violin and Piano in G Major, Op. 78) I Vivace ma non troppo II Adagio III Allegro molto moderato Robert SCHUMANN ~Fantasiestücke, Op.73 I Zart und mit Ausdruck II Lebhaft, leicht III Rasch und mit Feuer ~INTERMISSION~ Sergei RACHMANINOV/KREISLER ~Liebeslied (Solo Piano) Gabriel FAURÉ ~Après un Rêve (from Trois Mélodies, Op.7, No.1) Jules MASSENET ~Méditation from Thaïs Manuel DE FALLA ~Suite Populaire Espagnole El Paño Moruno Asturiana Jota Nana (Berceuse) Canción Polo ARTIST BIOS: SOPHIE WEBBER "every note has meaning rather as a look or a touch does; the resulting conversations she has with the music are endlessly absorbing... Her subjective narrative suggests the freedom with which Pablo Casals brought the music back to life a century ago." ~GRAMOPHONE Dr. Sophie Webber is an internationally accomplished soloist, chamber musician, and educator. A former DM student of Janos Starker and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, she previously studied with Richard Markson at Trinity College of Music, London, from where she graduated with a First Class Honors degree, as well as the Sir John Barbirolli memorial prize for cello. Sophie has released two critically acclaimed albums, Escape: Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello (2018), and, in 2020, B2C: Bach to Choir (chosen by Music Director, Rik Malone, of Los Angeles KUSC 91.5FM, as one of his favorite albums of the year). This segue album was recorded with members of Chicagos Choir of Ascension and features Bach's Cello Suites Nos.1 and 3 alongside Sophies original choral arrangement. INES IRAWATI "One of the most vital, imaginative, artistic people on the scene Her way with lyricism was as vivid as her crisp definition of the scampering material without fear, negotiating the digital demands smoothly while remaining mindful of the score's rhythmic accents and nuances." ~THE PLAIN DEALER Known for her expressivity, virtuosity, and versatility, Ines Irawati is in demand both as a solo recitalist and a collaborative pianist. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, she began piano and composition instruction at age six at the Yamaha Music School in Indonesia. At age 12, she made her official debut playing the third Beethoven Piano Concerto and Chopin's first concerto with the Indonesian Youth Symphony. Ines is currently enjoying a richly varied performance career, excelling in solo performance, chamber music, collaborative piano, and operatic vocal coaching. Her recent engagements include performances for TEDxSan Diego at Copley Symphony Hall, the Art of Élan, Musikamar chamber concerts, concerts in Centro Cultural Tijuana, and performances all over Southern California.
