In an article in Wednesday’s (3/14) Wall Street Journal, Stuart Isacoff writes, “Virtuoso Ralph Kirshbaum has been responsible over the years for large migrations of his fellow cellists: first to Britain, where from 1988 to 2007 he directed the Royal Northern College of Music International Cello Festival in Manchester; and now to Los Angeles, where he hold the Gregor Piatigorsky Endowed Chair in Violoncello at the University of Southern California. It is thanks to Mr. Kirshbaum’s tireless spirit that the first Piatigorsky International Cello Festival—dedicated to the legendary cellist who was also a faculty member at USC—is up and running here through Sunday. The endeavor involved four Los Angeles-based cultural institutions, as well as 22 artists and 45 students from around the world who have converged to participate in recitals, orchestral concerts and master classes. Judging from the first two days, last Friday and Saturday, they have created a bit of cello heaven.” Festival partners include USC’s Thornton School of Music; the Colburn School; the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In the article, Kirshbaum comments, “We show the great richness among cellists, the different approaches to the instrument.”
Posted March 15, 2012
