Penn State Cello Festival 2002 Features Master Cellist Aldo Parisot

"Intonation is the hygiene of musicality." These humorous pearls of wisdom became more and more expected from world-renowned cellist Aldo Parisot, as we came to know him better during the weekend in which he was the featured guest artist at the Penn State Cello Festival.

The Festival was created in the fall of 2000 by Professor Kim Cook, and sponsored by the Gardiner/Cook Cello Endowment and Penn State University. Professor Cook is also a cellist of great renown, and it is no surprise to find that she is one of Parisot's former students. This year, the Festival drew a wide range of musicians, from all ages and skill levels, traveling from as far away as Boston and Minneapolis to attend the two-day workshop on January 12-13.

Mr. Parisot conducts the cello festival ensemble

The action started immediately, with a rehearsal directed by Mr. Parisot. All visiting cellists were welcomed to join the Penn State Cello Choir (founded by Professor Cook in 1992) for a concert to be held at the end. Mr. Parisot's good cheer and droll comments kept everyone smiling as we made our way through the initial reading of the pieces we planned to play. It was exciting to gain insight from Mr. Parisot's first hand experiences with Villa-Lobos for the interpretation of the Modinha from the Bachianas Brasilieras No. 1. Lunch followed, and then a session on the Alexander Technique given by Dr. Richard Nichols of Penn State, who normally teaches it to his acting students. Students then got to put the techniques that they just learned to use immediately during the first master class with Parisot. There was no need for nervousness, however. Mr. Parisot's comfortable, attentive presence calmed nerves, and his constructive comments were always laced with humor. After a two-hour dinner break, Festival participants were treated to a fiery concert featuring Professor Cook and Professor Elizabeth Sawyer Parisot, guest pianist from Yale University. Afterwards, refreshments were served, and everyone got to mingle.

Alexander technique session with Richard Nichols

Seeing such a large group of cellists together in one place was a wonderful experience. Knowing nods were everywhere as different brands of strings and rosin and other aspects of the cello were discussed. Student coordinator Lisa Hooper remarked "It's worth all of the work we put into the festival to hear new ideas, meet other cellists, and perform together! It's inspiring". Everyone was in agreement that the cello festival was turning out wonderfully. There was a great feeling of camaraderie, almost like meeting cousins that lived far away at a family reunion, except the common bond in this case is the cello instead of family. Eventually, after our guest artist had left, conversation tapered off, and everyone drifted away to his or her sleeping accommodations to get some well-earned rest before another busy day.

The cello ensemble

A master class wakes everyone up in the morning. Lalo is followed by Saint-Saens and Shostakovich in a program that seems to be meant to liven up the morning. Lunch was brief, followed by time for sectionals and individual practice time. Three o'clock comes way too soon, and everyone troupes back into the recital hall. After some fine-tuning and more hilarious comments from Mr. Parisot, people begin to filter through the doorways and find their seats, intent on seeing a group of forty-odd cellists, who have only just met each other, perform works like the Concerto Grosso by Corelli and Bachianas Brasileiras by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The Requiem for Three Cellos and Piano is also beautifully performed by Professor Cook and Penn State students Jurga Miakonkich and Lisa Hooper, with Professor Sawyer-Parisot, pianist.

Aldo parisot helps student Brian Mishler with left hand positioning

The concert was a very fitting end to the two-day immersion in music. It was an invaluable learning experience for everyone, but more than that, it was a wonderful chance for cellists to get together and share experiences and creativity. "I loved participating in the cello festival! My experience was a very special one." one guest enthused. Everyone was sad to leave, and several people like Lynne Beiler voiced their wish to come back again. "If your "Penn State Cello Festival" is going to be an annual event, I would very much appreciate being on your mailing list." It was a terrific experience for all of us." The Cello Festival will indeed be an annual event, and believe me, it is well worth the trip to attend.

Christina Keffer

Christina Keffer is a freshman at Penn State University. She is currently studying the cello with Professor Kim Cook. She comes from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.