Lost in Plain Sight | Gaspar Cassadó’s Iberian Legacy

Rachelle Hunt (violin)

Katie Tertell (cello)

Nami Ejiri (piano)

Prof. H. Rosi Song (speaker)

Regarded as one of the top cellists of the 20th century whose work continues to be played worldwide, his name and history remain mostly forgotten in Spain and abroad. An early advocate for the modern cello, he played an active role in trying to expand the repertoire for cellists, composing and collaborating with composers of his time like Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-75) who dedicated a concerto to him. Today, his name remains connected to that of his world-famous teacher, Paul Casals (1876-1973), and fraught by the complicated legacy of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Cassadó’s significance in cello performance and composition deserve a new look as his works reflect important musical trends in pre-war Europe regarding the concept of a regional or national sound. As part of a research project to recover his legacy while examining of what could be identified or understood as a “Spanish sound” in 20th century classical music, the recital presents a combination of lecture and performance, where the audience is invited to learn about the cellist composer and to draw connections between his compositions and the music of Debussy, Ravel and Granados.

More information available:  https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/music/musicon/