Cellist Laura van der Heijden and Sinfonia Cymru Deliver Inspiring Performance in Cardiff
Cellist Laura van der Heijden, the recipient of last year's Royal Philharmonic Society instrumentalist award, joined forces with the young professional talent of Sinfonia Cymru for a captivating concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. This collaboration, part of a short Welsh tour, proved to be an inspiring showcase of musical excellence, highlighting Van der Heijden's role as a shining model for musicians of her generation.
An Unusual and Atmospheric Musical Mix
Van der Heijden curated an unusual blend of music, opening with a series of pieces linked to fairytale themes as a prelude to Dobrinka Tabakova's Cello Concerto. The sequence flowed seamlessly from Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre's Les Démons, complete with percussive foot-stamps and knee slapping, through works by Grace Williams, Caroline Shaw, Hildegard von Bingen, Pablo Casals, and Maurice Ravel. This created a persuasive and atmospheric journey that set the tone for the evening.
Disarmingly, Van der Heijden positioned herself not as a soloist out front but as the principal cello within the ensemble. Her quiet authority and easy rapport with Sinfonia Cymru's leader, Haim Choi, allowed her occasional solo lines, such as in Casals' Song of the Birds, to emerge with effortless grace and natural elegance.
Virtuosic Display in Tabakova's Concerto
Taking centre stage for Tabakova's concerto, Van der Heijden moved up a gear, demonstrating her virtuosic prowess. In the first movement, Turbulent, she was forceful and rhythmic, while in the central movement, Longing, she captured the lyrical intensity with a slow-burn passion. Tabakova envisioned the concerto as one long arc, and in the finale, Radiant, soloist and ensemble succeeded in evoking heightened sensibilities. The fiery cello writing showcased Van der Heijden at her absolute best, leaving the audience in awe.
Emotional Depth in Bartók's Divertimento
The second half featured a progression of folk-inflected compositions leading to a performance of Bartók's Divertimento for Strings. Knowing this work was completed just days before the onset of the Second World War added a chillingly contemporary feel, with muted strings conveying deep anguish in the Molto Adagio section. It was in the eloquent complexity of Bartók's writing that Sinfonia Cymru truly excelled, delivering incisive and expressive playing. Moments of real emotional urgency were met with a vibrant energy, reflecting the success of the imaginative partnership with Van der Heijden.
This performance will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in Concert on 18 March, allowing a wider audience to experience the magic of this collaboration.
