The 1st cello sonata of Brahms

 It has been already 13 years since I mentioned of this cello sonata, Brahms' 1st sonata in e minor, as in the post; here.

I might have told about the encounter with this music elsewhere. Investigating on it, however, I could find no post on it. It was a presentation within the club of the orchestra at the end of summer camp. At a hall of camping site in a skirt of high mountains in Shinshu in the end of August. Breeze was coming through the window of the hall. Bright sunray, still ushering in the arrival of early fall, was sparkling there as well. 

A senior cellist started playing the 1st movement of this sonata before the audience of the other orchestra members.

The cello starts the 1st theme so emotional as if mentally wandering in the way typical for youth. The piano accompanies it quietly with syncopated accord. After a passage intermediate, the cello goes decisively into the 2nd theme. Piano follows it in a beat or so. Both thema are rising up and reaching each peak. Then, the melodies are coming down. But no solution to the tension of the melodies. I often believe this kind of solution is characteristic to Brahms' music. I could exemplify quite some melodies in his various works, especially in his chamber music. This characteristic seems to appeal to young people. The recapitulation is given in the same pitch and tonality as the beginning. Accompaniment by piano is beautiul arpeggio downward. Sparkling sunlight filtering through leaves synchronized it perfectly. Whenever I listened to this portion, the scene comes up in my mind.

Oh well, imperfect analysis together with personal recollection is enough here. I would say it was really inspiring me, a beginner cellist those days, and had a dream to challenge this sonata someday. 

While practising the orchestral pieces I played in the orchestra, I did not stop doing with this piece. In 2 or 3 years, I have had a chance to play all the movements at a university festival. At a noisy cafeteria of the orchestra, I have "got it through". The 3rd movement inspired by Bach's the Art of Fugue was a really a challenge. Got it through! 

Much water has flown under the bridge since then. Three years ago, I had a chance to play this 1st movement together with a niece as the pianist at a hall in Tokyo. I could have played it better if I was still competent with the instrument as in my student days. I still felt happy to do with this sonata with my niece. It was a fun for me to play it with that niece whom I had known since her toddler days.

Shortly after its peformance, I got trouble with my both arms when going on playing cello for some time. I decided to leave the bow on the floor. Honestly, I would want to go on playing it. But I felt I have played it as much as I could. Getting apart from cello, I found more time for the other things including listening to key board music etc. No regret to give up playing it. More time and energy for listening music and reading books etc. 

Cello playing was an important part of life for me. But, I feel, it was a kind of the heaven's dispensation that I had to give it up exactly when I finished this sonata with niece. I am thankful for that even if it is quite a trifle for the other people than myself. It was the end of a chapter in my life.

I have been listening to various cellists playing this sonata. I have been a fan of Janos Starker with his youthful musicality from his accurate phrasing and bowing since my student days.