Video Release: Italian Premiere of Sonata-Fantasia No. 2 for Cello and Piano, “Abraham”

A video of the Italian premiere of Sonata-Fantasia No. 2, “Abraham,” for cello and piano has been posted on composer Baruch Berliner’s YouTube channel. The premiere took place in Bologna.

The sonata-fantasia derives from Berliner’s oratorio of the same name, inspired by the biblical story of Abraham—the patriarch of the Jewish people (Israel), the eldest of the Israelite forefathers, and the founder of monotheistic religion.

The premiere concert was given by cellist Dmitry Yablonsky—whom the composer dedicated the work to—joined by pianist Luigi Caselli.

A Russian-American conductor and cellist and an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, Mr. Yablonsky has received a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra. As a cellist, he has recorded a range of albums, including a double album featuring David Popper’s High School of Cello Playing, cello concertos by Aram Khachaturian and Nino Rota, and sonatas by Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczysław Weinberg. As a conductor, he has appeared with ensembles including the Belgian National Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others, and has recorded more than seventy albums.

Mr. Caselli, a laureate of numerous international piano competitions—including the Cortot in Milan, the Canals in Barcelona, and the Viotti in Vercelli—has performed extensively in Italy and abroad since an early age, appearing as a soloist and in chamber ensembles. He has also taken part in various European television and radio programs. Over the years, he has combined his concert career with a strong commitment to teaching, holding positions at several Italian conservatories. Mr. Caselli is currently on the faculty of the Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini.

Producer & General Manager – Nachum Slutzker