Alisa Weilerstein In Elgar's Cello Concerto

An American classical cellist, Alisa was named a MacArthur Fellow, a.k.a ‘the genius award’, in 2011. Born to a family of musicians, her cello prowess is considered the greatest in the world. As a soloist, she’s performed with multiple orchestras all across the planet.

Her career has crossed paths with the best composers and conductors. A connoisseur of contemporary music, Alisa has received many honors throughout her life. The most notable being The MacArthur Fellowship and the Leonard Bernstein Prize. Her recording of the Cello Concerto is ‘perhaps the best ever’ according to BBC.

The concert is an hour-long performance, conducted by Rafael Payare.The Ulster Orchestra will be performing two main pieces.

Cello Concerto by Elgar

The Cello Concerto by Edward Elgar, a milestone in the cello repertoire. Based on the aftermath of the World War, the piece is meant to be thought-provoking and a lamentation. Composed in the summer of 1919, the piece received no interest till the 1960s and is currently considered among the best cello concertos.

Symphony No. 1 by Shostakovich

Written by Dmitri Shostakovich for his graduation piece at the Petrograd Conservatory, the piece was completed when he was 19. The score is composed of 4 movements, talking half an hour to perform.

• Ulster Orchestra

• Rafael Payare - conductor

• Alisa Weilerstein - cello

• Elgar - Cello Concerto in E, op. 85

• Shostakovich - First Symphony in F, op. 10