You had me at 'cello': Seattle-area musicians offer online performances
Dave Beck before an Easter Sunday socially distant concert for his West. Seattle neighborhood
photo @ Kathleen Hosfeld
We’re into our second month of Governor Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order in Washington. We’ve baked bread, cleaned cupboards, and binged on endless television shows.
KUOW’s Arts and Culture reporter Marcie Sillman went online in search of some cultural respite. She found it in classical music; specifically short cello performances on social media.
Here are a few places to start your own online music tour:
- Former Seattle Symphony Orchestra cellist Joshua Roman has played in the world’s top concert halls. But now he may reach his widest audience through his regular social media mini-performances.
- From the start of the pandemic, cello master Yo-Yo Ma has performed short pieces he calls Songs of Comfort. Many are dedicated to first responders and health care workers.
- Cellist Nick Squires didn’t create this video specifically for pandemic-era audiences, but hearing him perform Bach in the rain feels particularly comforting.
- Seattle Symphony cellists Nathan Chan and Roberta Downey teamed up in one of the orchestra’s daily Morning Notes social media performances.
- Finally, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is always a balm; here’s a beautiful version performed by 2Cellos.
