I have played music my entire life, note by note it is a part of me that developed like a sibling I never had. There is an appreciation for music that is unique to those who have played it, a gratitude acknowledging the pain and dedication that went into training each note. I wasn’t the biggest fan of music for most of my life, but after starting concertos I understood the scope of music. During my training for this piece, I found musical expression to be the greatest challenge and influence. Elgar’s cello concerto has a somber history, an offspring of the horrific tragedy of world war one. Encapsulating that emotion is difficult, but rightly suited for music, especially the cello which I have a great fondness of for its rich sound and lower frequency. Music is the color in life, and for Elgar’s cello concerto it is black and white.
You can find Keith’s 2023 Romantic Music Competition cello performance here.
You can find Keith’s 2024 Summer Music Competition cello performance here.