There IS, as it turns out, downtime in the life of German cellist Alban Gerhardt. But outside of that, it is a breathless and rigorous and non-stop life of practice, travel, and performance for this brilliant artist who is briefly in Portland and maximizing every single moment.

On the Road, Again

 

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 Pop-ups, free concerts, rehearsals, tennis, blog updates, following, and being handled by, handlers, Portland showers, Skype maybe to family? All in a days work for a guy and his cello. Which has seen quite the workout. Witness the cello case. And the cello. Not so much the guy. I think he really digs it all. It’s ALL his “workout”.

At the Weiden + Kennedy Atrium

I think about the infamous German Autobahns. The ones that seemingly have no speed limits. Which is ideal. Because anytime I have read Alban’s blog, it appears he has been either racing out into the early morning from Berlin to the other side of Germany for performances or deciding to return home in the dead of night so he can spend time with his 9-month old son and wife.  There are these deeply appreciated few weeks where he will not pick up the cello and the bow. But not for long. For now, it is Portland.  And he is Busy! as Artist in Residence with the Oregon Symphony.

PRP Cello 1

 Alban is indeed an extraordinary ambassador of music. His philosophy? Pop up really anywhere and play. If there is an audience to hear and appreciate his deep talent, great! If not? He has had a chance to practice. The Portland schedule gives Alban a chance to go everywhere and practice his ineffable art. 

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And though Alban admittedly feels that he doesn’t really like to talk about music because it is a matter of feelings and emotions and not words, we did exchange a few words on the subject of music at his first stop, Weiden +Kennedy‘s  magical atrium.

 

 

 

 

 

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