The world's biggest classical music festival is on its way back, with Sol Gabetta set to open the First Night of the BBC Proms.
Sol Gabetta
We caught up with Sol to find out more about the upcoming performance, her music, love for the cello and more...
How are you feeling ahead of opening the BBC Proms season?
I am super excited and honoured, of course, to be opening the BBC Proms season 2016. The cello is one of the main themes at the BBC Proms this year and there will even be two world premieres of works for the cello, so I'm naturally delighted that my chosen instrument will be a highlight of the season!
You'll be performing the Elgar Cello Concerto - has this always been a favourite of yours?
I really believe that the Elgar Cello Concerto is one of the best works ever written for the instrument. I have recorded it twice now, once in 2010 with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra under Maria Venzago and my new recording with the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle will be out in the autumn. It is a remarkable work and I love to perform it when I am touring - it has many special qualities and I am delighted that it has been chosen as the work with which to open this season.
Has music always been one of your biggest passions? What are some of your earliest music-related memories?
Ever since I was a small child, I knew that I wanted a life in music. I come from a musical family and we often performed together - and still do! I sang in the school choir and then tried the piano, the violin and the clarinet but it's with the cello that I feel most at home.
If you could work with anybody in the industry going forward on new material, who would you choose and why?
I have been fortunate to work with so many wonderful musicians throughout my career and have also collaborated with many gifted composers on new works for the cello, including PÄ"teris Vasks from Latvia, English composer, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Michel Van der Aa from the Netherlands and - most recently - German composer, Wolfgang Rihm. It's such a great feeling to be able to add to the cello repertoire.
How difficult is it to make a name for yourself in this industry?
I feel very privileged to be part of the music world. Of course, it is wonderful to travel the globe, to meet new people and to play with great orchestras but of course, it also comes at a cost, for example, that family life is disrupted, that the travel schedule can be gruelling and, above all, there is no getting away from the hours of practice that are necessary to succeed and be a respected musician and to stay at the top of your game. I would not change a thing, however and am very grateful for everything music has given me in my life.
Do you have any definitive aims or goals for your career?
I love teaching the cello and it is a constant source of joy to see the next generation coming through: passing on knowledge to my students is a very important part of what I do and who I am.
Finally, what else should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
I have my 2CD 'Cello' compilation set out currently and my new recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the wonderful Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic will be in stores in the autumn. I always look forward to working closely with other contemporary composers on more new works for the cello. I am also super excited about my forthcoming debut at the Salzburg Festival with the Concertgebouw Orchestra and Daniele Gatti at the end of August 2016.
2CD set 'Cello' is available now, with the First Night of the BBC Proms set to air on Friday, July 15 at 7pm at the Royal Albert Hall.