Historical Events of March 23
23 March
** 1835 - on this day English cellist Robert Lindley performed with the double bassist Dragonetti a sonata of Corelli (in London)
** 1887 - first performance of Heinrich von Herzogenberg - Cello Sonata
Robert Hausmann/cello and Elisabet von Herzogenberg/piano (Saale der Königliechen Hochschule, University of Halle, Germany)
** 1898 – cellist Paul Bazelaire finished writing 'Fantaisie Militaire’, Op.3, (cello and piano) and 'Danse des vieux’ (Minuet), Op.4 (cello and piano) on this day
** 1909 – cellist Heinrich Warnke performed as soloist in German composer Hermann Grädener’s Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op.45 on 12th and 13th March, and on the 22nd and 23rd March (all of 1909), with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall of Boston. The conductor on all occasions was Max Fiedler. The concerto had been published a year previously, and Jacques van Lier appears to be the dedicatee.
** 1914 - the Brahms - Double Concerto for violin, cello and orchestra was performed on today’s date in Berlin by soloists Gunna Breuning & Paul Grümmer with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nikisch
** 1928 - Beatrice Harrison records the cello concerto of Elgar - a new recording was made by the electric process on 23rd March 1928 where two turntables were recording simultaneously. Using modern digital technology, these two recordings made at the same session have been combined to create a new stereo version. It also stands as the most accurate representation of what Elgar intended his famous concerto to express at this time in history.
** 1932 - cellist Paul Hermann gave a recital with violinist Zoltán Székely for the Holland section of ISCM at the Amsterdam Conservatory on March 23rd, 1932 - the programme included a solo cello sonata by Bertus van Lier, Ernst Toch's Divertimento, a premiere of the solo violin sonata by Willem Pijper, and two works for violin and cello by Kodály and Bartók. The written press was unanimously enthusiastic. Newspaper Het Volk reported that:
“The violinist Zoltán Székely and cellist Paul Hermann, who have both made a second homeland here, are genuine propagandists for our newest music; which, in its development, shows a striking resemblance to the Hungarian school.”
** 1948 - on this day cellist Paul Tortelier recorded Tchaikovsky - Rococo Variations, in Morden (England), with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Norman del Mar
** 1980 - in the National Gallery of Art, in Washington D.C., a recital was given by cellist Pamela Barr, with Stephen Swedish /piano
** 1982 - first live recorded performance of Barja Iglesias - 5 Melodies (1961-66) [this work is also known as ‘Canciones para cello y piano’ and consist of the titles: Ausencia; Súplica; Noticia; Cuando yo me vaya; Vidalita
Carlos Baena/cello and Ramona Sanuy/piano (Casa de la Radio, RNE, Madrid)
** 1993 – birth of Cicely Parnas (New York)
Cicely Parnas is a Berlin-based American musician who has established an international reputation as a cellist, arranger, composer, and teacher (Cicely is a dedicated educator on the social networks)
