Calvin Abdiel and Cedar Newman | The Spirit of Youth
July 27, 2024, Independent Theatre, North Sydney
There’s something special about hearing young musicians tackle the great works of classical music, and that’s exactly what happened at the Independent Theatre with pianist Calvin Abdiel and violinist Cedar Newman. The venue, well know by Sydneysiders for its excellent acoustics and a top-notch Steinway piano, was the perfect setting for an evening filled with the sublime sounds of Schubert, Ysaÿe, Schumann, and Strauss.
Cedar Newman, who began her musical journey busking at folk festivals at 13, has blossomed into a formidable talent. Studying under Albert Markov in New York and later at the Manhattan School of Music with Lucie Robert, her accolades are impressive. As Lucie Robert aptly put it, “Cedar Newman is an exceptional talent who was born to play the violin. She speaks through her instrument and touches all who are fortunate enough to hear her.” This sentiment was evident in her performance of Ysaÿe’s Sonata No.3 in D minor, ‘Ballade’, where her emotional intensity and technical prowess shone brightly.
Calvin Abdiel, the Indonesian/Australian pianist, has shown remarkable promise from a young age. His studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and now at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin have clearly paid off. The complexity and depth of Schumann’s Etudes Symphoniques, Op. 13 were brought to life with precision and emotion.
The program was a pleasing blend of classics
The concert opened with Schubert’s ‘Grand Duo’ Violin and Piano Sonata No.4 in A major. The synergy between Cedar and Calvin was evident from the first note, they have a jaunty chemistry and their understanding of each other’s musical phrasing made for a captivating performance. Notably, Schubert was only twenty years old when he composed this sonata, and Strauss was just twenty-three when he composed his. This remarkable fact underscores the youthful brilliance and profound musicality that both composers possessed, which was beautifully mirrored by the youthful yet mature performances of Cedar and Calvin.
Ysaÿe, a giant of the Franco-Belgian school, dedicated his Ballade to Romanian violinist Enescu. This single-movement fantasia is packed with multi-voice textures and contrapuntal devices recalling Bach’s Chaconne. Cedar Newman’s solo performance showed both strength and gentleness, capturing the essence of the piece’s passion, complexity, and virtuosity as it accelerated from a simmering recitative to a bold allegro, culminating in a fiery conclusion.
Calvin’s solo performance of a selection of Schumann’s Etudes Symphoniques, Op. 13, (a preview of his recently released recording Themes and Variations) was another highlight. Schumann’s set of variations, originally composed in 1834 and revised in 1852, are known for their intricate technical demands and emotional depth and this performance showcased Calvin’s deep understanding and interpretation of Schumann’s music as each variation was presented with precision, bringing the audience on a journey through the composer’s complex and expressive landscape.
The concert concluded with Richard Strauss’ Sonata for Violin and Piano in E flat Major, Op. 18. Composed when Strauss was just twenty-three, this sonata is lush and Romantic, with intricate interplay between the violin and piano. Cedar and Calvin delivered a performance that was both technically impressive and deeply expressive.
I was heartened by how many young people attended the concert, it is encouraging to see the next generation of classical musicians supporting each other, and Calvin and Cedar’s performances demonstrated a mastery far beyond their years, serving as an inspiration to both their peers and the older audience members alike.
For those who missed this concert series, I highly recommend catching these remarkable musicians in what I hope will be many future performances. Their ability to bring classical music to life with such youthful exuberance is not to be missed.
