10 questions with cellist Pablo Ferrández
Interview
On 8 November, acclaimed cellist Pablo Ferrández will perform Schumann's Cello Concerto with the Belgian National Orchestra. We sat down with him to discuss the intricacies of this cello concerto, his favorite rituals before a concert and the various career paths he has considered.
Schumann's Cello Concerto is certainly a very unique one. As opposed to other cello concertos where the cello voice is very prominent and the orchestra has a merely accompanying role, I think Schumann's is much more like chamber music, where the cello is reacting constantly to the other instruments and vice versa. It’s a concerto full of romanticism, love, passion and, at certain moments, desperation. I enjoy experimenting with the huge range of emotions that it allows the performer.
I try to take the concert day as any regular day now. What I try to do is make sure I am at the venue early enough to warm up slowly and get “in my zone”. One thing I have introduced to my concert routine is to have a matcha tea around one hour before going on stage.
Of course! Some times more than others and it is almost impossible to predict. I guess you have to learn to deal with performing under pressure and try to enjoy the feeling. I realized that focusing on physical sensations during the early minutes of the performance helps get rid of the nerves. I think the most important is not to feel stressed out about being nervous, because when you try to fight it, it becomes a vicious circle.
"If my ten-year-old self had known that he will play not only one, but two Stradivarius for over a decade, I think he would have been very impressed."
I don't know if it's surprising, but if my ten-year-old self had known that he will play not only one, but two Stradivarius for over a decade, I think he would have been very impressed.
There are many figures that inspire me on a daily basis and that I look up to, but since a few years the most prominent figure would be Anne-Sophie Mutter, an absolute role model of artistry and professionalism, besides a legend of the violin.
I’m a big fan of tennis, it's my hobby, which I play as often as I can, so perhaps something like that? Although I doubt I have what it takes! Such a difficult sport!
I enjoy using social media, Instagram and YouTube. I record tutorials and vlogs interviews on YouTube, and I post a lot of practicing videos on Instagram. I feel these add another dimension to what you see on stage.
"I like to get inspiration from the city and the people that I encounter."
I like to get inspiration from the city and the people that I encounter, discover new places and halls in the world. The worst is that the traveling in itself its quite annoying. But hey, they are much bigger problems than sitting many hours on a plane and go through security checkpoints.
My latest CD is Brahms' Double concerto with Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Czech Philharmonic and Manfred Honeck. It’s a project I’m very proud of. One of the musical highlights of my life.
One thing that I try to remind myself everyday is to be present and enjoy every moment with my loved ones in my daily life. It’s the only thing we can bring with us.
