Sonata Fantasia No. 2, “Abraham,” for Cello and Piano Premieres on February 7 in Germany

On February 7, the Orchesterzentrum NRW in Dortmund will host the German premiere of Sonata Fantasia No. 2, “Abraham,” for cello and piano, performed by Grammy nominee cellist Dmitry Yablonsky and pianist Laia Martin. Drawing on Baruch Berliner’s oratorio bearing the same title, the piece is inspired by the biblical story of Abraham—the forefather of the Jewish people (Israel), the eldest of the Israelite patriarchs, and the founder of monotheism.

A Russian-American conductor and cellist, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Mr. Yablonsky has a Grammy nomination for “Best Instrumental Recording of a Soloist with Orchestra.” As a cellist, he has recorded a double album with David Popper’s Higher School of Cello Playing, cello concertos by Aram Khachaturian and Nino Rota, and sonatas by Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczysław Weinberg. As a conductor, Mr. Yablonsky has performed with such ensembles as the Belgian National Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. He has recorded more than 70 CDs.
Dr. Martin is a pianist, Professor of Music History at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, and Professor of Research Techniques at the Escuela de Música de Alto Rendimiento de Valencia. She collaborates with the research group “Texting Scarlatti: Composition, Reception, Performance,” led by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and teaches piano at the Issi Fabra Music School in Puigcerdà and at the Conservatori de Música dels Pirineus. Dr. Martin is one of the directors of the music festival in Puigcerdà. In 2022, she launched the project Vespres Musicals de Santa Cecília de Bolvir. Since 2019, she has also served as director of the Pyrenees Conference on Artistic Research in Music.

The Orchesterzentrum NRW in Dortmund is the leading institution in North Rhine-Westphalia for training professional orchestral musicians. It is a collaborative initiative of the state’s four conservatories: the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, and the Cologne University of Music and Dance. Closely aligned with the demands of orchestras and the music industry, the Orchesterzentrum’s curricula provide multiple direct pathways to professional engagement.

Produced by Nachum Slutzker

Venue:
Orchesterzentrum NRW, Brückstrasse 47, 44 135 Dortmund, Germany

Date and Time:
February 7, 6:30 p.m.