The theme, depicted in the video above, is the first statement the cellist makes in the whole piece. The scene has been set by the orchestra, yes, but the audience still waits in anticipation to see how the cellist will respond. Unlike in the Dvorak concerto, where the cello part completely breaks up the previous orchestral melodies, Tchaikovsky starts the cellist off with something exceedingly simple. Yet, I find it to be one of the most difficult parts of the entire piece. Not only does the theme serve as the cellist’s introduction to the audience, but it sets the interpretive stage for the rest of the piece.
The first few bars are simple, yet elegant. I like to imagine a ballet dancer as I play, simply floating above the harmonies the orchestra is laying out below. However, while the introduction is certainly in the classical style, the mood suddenly shifts to something more romantic just a few bars later––almost as if the dancer was making some sort of long, slow bow towards audience. Yet, before the romanticism can even be fully realized, the original theme repeats. Now, I could go over the colors of just the theme for hours––I won’t bore your with that. What I will say, is that every melody in the theme becomes the main melody of another variation. Thus, your interpretation of the different sections of the theme need to match what you do throughout the piece. I am of course still working on this aspect, but it is the challenge of crafting something so meticulous that I enjoy.
Music in it of itself is completely up to interpretation. My interpretation of the Rococo theme will be completely different from the person ahead of me in orchestra. Yet, that is what makes music so mystifying. I have the power to both express emotion and change emotion all with the stroke of my bow; I don’t have to say anything. The way I hit each note pulls on the heartstrings of the audience. Thus, I realize that my purpose as a performer is not to please myself, but to please others. It is my job to depict the musical ideas that the composer envisioned whilst also adding my own interpretive spin. Whenever I am sitting and simply thinking about how I am going to play something, I return to Boston Philharmonic conductor Benjamin Zander’s infamous quote, “Perfect is good, but it is not enough.” I can play every note correctly and every technique properly, but without interpretation––without emotion––the music doesn’t come alive. It does not matter if every note is in tune, or if every run if played perfectly. What matters is if the audience felt something with your performance. That is what I constantly strive to achieve. The Rococo Theme is only the beginning.
About the Artist:
Nicolas Madon
Art Connects us. In the perpetual cycle of the modern world, society can move so quickly that we lose what makes us human––we lose our individuality. Throughout our lifetimes all we hear about are the divisions between people: race, ethnicity, language, culture, etc. We never hear about what brings society together. Art. Connects. Us. As my elementary school choir teacher always said, “The arts are what makes us human.” Art knows no boundaries and is not fazed by race, socioeconomic status, or language. It can be appreciated by all people. It reduces society into nothing but a simple group of humans––that is it––Humans. Not black people or white people or French people or German people. We are all simply human. Thus, through an understanding of the different cultures that make up the beautiful world that we live in we can begin to understand what brings different societies together, instead of what breaks them apart. I try and perpetuate this idea through my music––classical music that is. Now, classical music is not exactly the most modernly appreciated form of music, but it is the music that can tell an entire story without saying a word. Everything is up to the interpretation and the discretion of the performer, and the audience can either be moved or repulsed as a result. I hope that my work, day to day, will bring the people of this world closer together in some minuscule way. My name is Nick, I am a cellist, and you can reach me at nicolasmadon@gmail.com or through my instagram, @nicolasmadon.
The Big Duck 