For more classes like this one, please visit the Benjamin Zander Center - www.benjaminza... Alan Toda-Ambaras, cello and Dina Vainshtein, piano Interpretations of Music: Lessons for Life with Benjamin Zander Dave Jamrog Audio/Video
The Cellist - Alan Toda-Ambaras, has given a perfect performance of the music. Amazing! The last fragment played towards the end of the video is even better. The Pianist Dina Vainshtein is also amazing.
I just love Ben's loving, respecting, admiring compliments letting the musician feel even better about expressing the feelings abound in the music. This is just as worthy if not of even more worth as/than his bettering comments. His "suggestions" all have weight regardless of which instrument you happen to play. He selected them ever so carefully for Toda-Ambaras' great ability and the time available. I wish I had an expert flutist telling me now, what Monsieur Taffanel had said to him/her about Enesco, Widor or Brahms the way Zander speaks of how his teacher, Cassado, did that one passage. This is gold-bouillon. His musical observations (F-Dur surprise in completing the melody, the tender moment of the sub-dominant touched upon for the first time, the sameness of the melody with rhythmic alteration and how this changes the expression etc.) are SO very important for the flowering musician. This is the first time that I've heard Ms. Vainstein explode with her great musicality. In Brahms and with this fantastic cellist she stopped being just an accompanist (for instruction). I applaud her development!
This pianist is in so many videos on RU-vid. She must have mastered all the piano parts of the violin and cello sonata repertoires which is no mean feat !
That is in part because this piano is *WAY* too loud lmao. I couldn't even hear the original piece due to the deafening piano playing. Maybe the technicians are at fault, because Dina usually plays very pleasantly
I have the feeling the piano, instead of following the cello, it breaks its rhythm and carries it to the next sequence of the piece, which contrasts with what is expected. Maybe that could be why the piano stands out so much at times. In any case, it's such a gorgeous piece and performance, cheers!
Thing is Brahms is said to have played the piano on his own pieces (in a very soloist sort of way too), so maybe that could be why Zander was a little bit more demanding on the pianist, eventhough she did amazing. In any case, the cellist is amazing, I agree 😂.
