Alisa Weilerstein is still in her 20s, but already she is hailed by New York magazine as the “heiress apparent” to Yo-Yo Ma.
If you go
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, accompanied by pianist Inon Barnatan
Where: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
When: 8 p.m. June 15
Info: $40; 202-785-9727
Washington fans can enjoy her extraordinary talent at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue accompanied by pianist Inon Barnatan. The program, one of the duo’s favorites, features four works for cello ranging across two centuries. They open with Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 5, written as he entered his final period. The third and last movement portends his use of fugues in his 9th Symphony and his late string quartets. Next they play Benjamin Britten’s Cello Sonata in C major composed in 1961. The only sonata he wrote, it was dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich, as were his three cello suites written between 1964 and 1971.
The second portion of the evening begins with de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole, six melodic songs from folk or popular traditions which the composer arranged in 1926 with unique harmonics. The program ends with Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor, the last of his compositions to be published, the only one he wrote for the cello, and one of nine he wrote for instruments other than the piano. Written in 1846, it was dedicated to his friend the cellist Auguste-Joseph Franchomme. They performed it together in 1848 at Chopin’s final public concert before his death a year later.
Weilerstein has been playing the cello since she was 4 1/2 years old, when she begged her mother for lessons. Since making her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra at age 13, she has pursued her career with fervor as both chamber music performer and soloist with major orchestras. She and her parents comprise the Weilerstein Trio based at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Along with receiving numerous honors, including an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Leonard Bernstein Prize, she graduated from Columbia University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Russian history.
“The opportunity that has meant the most to me is performing in November at the musical event at the White House,” she said. “It was a very special thing to work with 24 cello students from all over the country and to play for the president and his family. It was so gratifying to see the reaction on the face of his daughter Malia and the other youngsters.”
As one of many people who have diabetes, she has great satisfaction in speaking to children with the disease and presenting herself as proof that they can lead happy and productive lives.
“I want them to remember that there still isn’t a cure and we must keep working toward that goal,” she said. “In the meantime, I keep telling my story and assuring them that we can do whatever we want.”
