Ravinia 2024 Issue 5

BENNETT GORDON HALL 7:30 PMWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024 ZLATOMIR FUNG, cello # DINA VAINSHTEIN, piano POPPER Six Character Pieces, op. 3 * Maskenball-Scene (Arlequin) Warum? Erzählung Maskenball-Scene (Papillon) Begegnung Lied BACH Suite No. 4 for Solo Cello in E-flat major, BWV 1010 Prelude Allemande Courante Sarabande Bourrée I—Bourrée II Gigue –Intermission– PROKOFIEV Ballade in C minor, op. 15 * BRAHMS Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, op. 108 (Transcribed for cello and piano) Allegro Adagio Un poco presto e con sentimento Presto agitato # Ravinia Steans Music Institute alum * First performance at Ravinia DAVID POPPER (1843–1913) Sechs Characterstücke , op. 3 The eminent Czech cellist and composer David Popper was born in Prague, the son of a cantor who served two local synagogues. He enjoyed private music instruction as a youth, first on the piano and later on violin. Popper was admitted to the Prague Conservatory at age 12. Because the violin class was full, he switched to cello and become a student of Julius Goltermann (1825– 1876). Three years later, Popper earned instant acclaim when he substituted for Goltermann as principal cellist in a performance of Rossini’s William Tell at the National Theater in Prague. “Popper, you would be a scoundrel if you call me ‘Herr Professor’ anymore,” Goltermann re- marked upon learning of his protégé’s success. “From now on, you call me the familiar ‘Du.’ ” Popper made his public solo debut at age 17 in a performance of Adrien-François Servais’s Sou- venir de St. Petersbourg , op. 15, with the Prague Conservatory Orchestra under Johann Friedrich Kittl. In 1863, on the recommendation of con- ductor Hans von Bülow, Popper became a cham- ber musician at the court of Prince Konstantin von Hohenzollern-Hechingen in Löwenberg. The following year, von Bülow introduced the 21-year-old cellist as soloist with the Berlin Phil- harmonic in performances of the Souvenir de St. Petersbourg and Robert Volkmann’s Cello Con- certo in Aminor, op. 33. Following his debut, von Bülow described Popper as “a remarkable talent,” in a letter to composer Joachim Raff. “He has a beautiful tone, and great technique. He has a promising future.” When von Bülow appointed Popper principal cellist of the Hofoper (Court Opera) in Vienna in 1868, he became the young- est principal musician in the institution’s history. Popper married pianist Sophie Menter—the daughter of Munich cellist Joseph Menter and a former piano student of both Hans von Bülow and Franz Liszt—on June 4, 1872. A daughter named Cölestine was born two months later on August 8. Popper left the Hofoper the following year to focus on solo and chamber performances David Popper RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 77