Caleb Yang - Virtual Recital
Virtual Senior Cello Recital - 2020
In fulfillment of the Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance - UCLA
Collaborative Pianists: David Kaplan and Dr. James Lent Video directed by Jared Yang Special thanks to my professors, teachers, friends and family for your support!
Program Notes:
Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prelude 0:14 The other day I was looking through our hard drive for old videos and came across a folder of my early days playing the cello. I realized that the oldest recording I have of myself playing the cello is of this piece. As I continue to study Bach’s 6 Cello Suites and revisit movements, I am reminded of that first time opening up my Barenreiter book and the feeling of new discovery.
Messiaen: Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus 2:51 Professor David Kaplan - Piano I began learning of the story behind Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time” from Rebecca Rischin’s research book, prompted after hearing beautiful peer renditions of the fifth movement, a duet for cello and piano. The work was written by French composer Olivier Messiaen in a prisoner of war camp, and premiered on January 15, 1941 in -4 degrees Fahrenheit in Stalag VIIIA. The story highlighted the unshakable faith of Messiaen in trying circumstances. The fifth movement “Praise to the Eternity of Jesus” is marked infiniment lent, extatique meaning “infinitely slow, ecstatic”. Messiaen writes: Jesus is considered here as the Word. A broad phrase, "infinitely slow", on the cello, magnifies with love and reverence the eternity of the Word, powerful and gentle, "whose time never runs out". The melody stretches majestically into a kind of gentle, regal distance. "In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1 KJV)
Golijov: Omaramor - Solo Cello 11:16 My professor Antonio Lysy has recommended many works over the past four years, this tango being one of them. I had the privilege last year to attend my professor’s benefit concert raising money for the SOL-LA Music Academy, featuring music from his Grammy Award winning album and multimedia project “Te Amo, Argentina”. The solo cello, chamber music, live dancing, combined for a charity event imparted on me a vivid and memorable introduction to the heart and soul of Argentine music and culture. Learning the traditions of Argentine tango music from my professor has been an incredible experience. His knowledge and guidance has helped me shape an interpretation of this piece that is musically compelling while prioritizing narrative and traditional techniques. This piece was written by Osvaldo Golijov as a tribute to Carlos Gardel. Gardel, the mythical tango singer, was at the pinnacle of his popularity when the plane that was carrying him to a concert crashed and took his life. In one of his perennial hits, “My Beloved Buenos Aires,” Gardel sings: “The day I’ll see you again My beloved Buenos Aires, Oblivion will end, There will be no more pain.”
Bridge: Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano H. 125 19:32 Dr. James Lent - Piano I first began learning this Sonata in my Sophomore year in college, just after starting to use the generously donated UCLA owned Fiorini cello. I was able to eventually meet the donor Doug MacLaughlin and share the experience and impact the instrument has had on me as a musician. The quality and projection of the cello’s unique sound helped me unlock many possibilities for my playing. Discovering and learning how to use the bow to create many timbers and colors, especially in lyrical pieces such as the Bridge Sonata has been a rewarding experience. Although I have returned the cello to the university since moving back home, the memories and lessons I’ve learned will always remain as I play this piece and pieces in the future.
Hymns of Praise in D 29:20 Nothing But the Blood is one of my favorite hymns, and also one of the first songs I played at church on the cello. In 2015, I purchased and began experimenting on my first looping pedal which I still use today. I created this looping pedal arrangement for a graduate school audition in commercial music at Belmont University.
Mark Summer- Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming 33:52 “Julie-O” was a modern solo cello piece I knew I wanted to try learning in high school. Near the end of my high school year I began learning the work. The piece’s improvisatory styles excited me, and I prepared it for our high school’s baccalaureate ceremony. My teacher Vicky Wang gave me the sheet music which I held onto in college. My interpretation of the piece and style has developed over time as I revisited it for an audition, this time arranging it to play with a live rhythm section. I realized behind and attached to the original “Julie-O” sheet music from my teacher was Summer’s Cello Variations on the hymn “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”. Learning this piece was fun and refreshing with its percussive techniques, guitar imitation, and improvisatory nature.
