Master Class with Sung-Won Yang

Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 (1894–95) is one of the greatest concertos ever written for the cello, and is also his final work for a soloist and full orchestra. Dvořák wrote the piece for his friend Hanuš Wihan. It was premiered in London in 1896 by Leo Stern and encapsulates the myriad of sounds of the orchestra within the cello’s unique timbre. The cello’s long bow movements are perfect for sustaining the rich melodies of this sweet concerto. In this master class, Professor Sung-Won Yang works with cellist Jiyoung Noh on the first and second movements of Dvořák’s concerto. They focus on intonation (especially important when playing with an orchestra), rhythmic precision, and phrasing within the larger structure of the work to tell a story that keeps building throughout. Dvořák’s passion and warmth is known to seem to resonate from within the cello’s chamber outwards towards the spellbound audience in this concerto. South Korean cellist Sung-Won Yang performs worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician. He studied under Philippe Muller and János Starker, and has appeared in major venues across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.