One of the most famous and performed works for cello and orchestra - Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Antonin Dvorak will be performed tonight on the Big Stage of the Music Center of Montenegro. This composition will be performed by one of the most promising cellists of his generation, and not only in the Balkans Petar Pejcic. However, this is not the only work of the Czech composer that the audience will hear tonight. Namely, the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the conductor Marko Korovič will also perform Dvořák's Symphony no. 9 in C minor, Op. 95 From the New World.
With this concert, the Music Center of Montenegro will mark 120 years since the death of the famous composer who left an indelible mark during Romanticism.
Dvořák's concerto stands out as one of the most important works in the cello repertoire due to its combination of technical complexity and emotional depth. Since its premiere in 1896, the concert has been performed by many famous cellists and orchestras on the most prestigious stages. So Pejčić has already had the opportunity to meet this piece and play it on a small stage.
"This concert is a jewel of the repertoire for us cellists. So, in my opinion, this cello concerto is an exceptional piece by Dvořák that allows us as cellists to play the role of the protagonist. It is a very specific experience on stage, because it is not easy to perform a piece of 40-50 minutes, considering the fact that the average cello concert lasts from 20 to 30 minutes. So, a very, very special experience," says Pejčić in an interview with Vijesti, recalling what his mentor and professor once told him about this work by Dvorak. Petar Bruns:
"He used to tell me 'when you play the last notes of this concert and when the orchestra takes the main role, you understand why it's worth doing this job'. And really, I always have that feeling when I perform this work", adds Pejčić.
This piece requires technical virtuosity, expressiveness and strength of the cellist, and although he has played it before, Pejčić and the members of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra approach studiously and responsibly in the desire to create a special experience for the audience during tonight's concert.
"Of course, there is always a responsibility, primarily towards the audience, because they buy a ticket, come to a concert and want to experience that concert. Maybe many will hear it for the first time tonight, even though it is well-known, but in any case, it is the responsibility of the soloist, the artist, to perform each performance in the best possible way, at that moment. My personal challenge, especially with concerts like these that are played more often, is to discover something fresh in that piece every time. Also, it has to be interesting to me, even if I force myself to find it interesting, especially if it's a piece that I play often. However, when it comes to such an inspiring masterpiece, it's really never a problem," emphasizes Pejčić.
But this Dvořák concerto is not only technically challenging due to its fast passages and wide range, but also requires a deep emotional understanding of the performer. The soloist has a difficult task - to convey a wide range of feelings, and with each new playing, Pejičić himself recognizes a new emotion while performing it.
"At the moment when I am performing this concert, one big focus in my life is on my career, where in my private life some things have come together very nicely, and I am very satisfied. The last time I played this concert, my private life was a little more turbulent, so that certainly reflects on the interpretation of the work and the feeling on stage. This time I feel that nostalgia playing this concert, for some personal reasons of course, but a really great question, you are absolutely right. Each time is a completely different experience of this music", admits Pejčić.
A segment of Dvořák's concert also appears in the movie "Witches of Istvik" when he performs it in one scene Susan Saradon. Classical music is often found not only in films, but also in animated films for children, and the interlocutor of Vijesti believes that this is an excellent way to popularize classical music.
"I absolutely agree with that and I think it's wonderful, especially in film masterpieces, that we have classical music. Let's say Stanley Kubrick used classical music consistently in his films. Also, it is often used in animated films for children. Therefore, I support the use of classical music, I think that it is the richest in emotions, and very specific emotions, it is diverse, and I am sure that this inspires directors to use it, and I am really proud of that fact. I think it's really great for its popularization," explains Pejčić.
Dvořák was a violinist, so he left behind a significant oeuvre when it comes to works for strings. His works for string music, whether written for chamber ensembles or symphony orchestras, brought melodic richness and harmonic complexity, but through them Dvořák permeated the spirit of Czech music. The fact that he knew the possibilities of stringed instruments is reflected in his works, says Pejičić.
"Dvoržak was very aware of how the technique of the violin, viola, and cello works, and he absolutely wrote music in which he fully used the abilities of those instruments. And that is really reflected in this concert, where Dvořák was very smart and we are collaborating with great artists of his time, who absolutely understood the same theme and issues. You can feel it, really. That's why it's not uncomfortable to play that music, it's easy to perform under your fingers", explains the interlocutor of Vijesti.
Dvořák dedicated this concert to his cellist friend Hanush Vihani, although it was premiered by an English cellist Leo Stern in London in 1896. During his career, Petar Pejčić also had the opportunity to premiere works written for him by contemporary composers. About how he views the creativity of his contemporaries, he says:
“The last time I had the pleasure of performing contemporary music in London was with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Then I performed the cello concerto over and over again Đura Živkovića, one of the most important Serbian composers, I can say of all time. So, Đuro is truly exceptional and I had the honor and pleasure to premiere that work together with him in London. And it's a really special experience. And Đuro's music is imbued with orthodox Christianity and themes that are very close to us. So it was a special experience. And as far as contemporary music is concerned, you know, I believe that in every period throughout history you had, for the most part, mediocre composers and a few exceptional ones. We still listen to those exceptional composers day after day, even 50, 100, 150 years later. And maybe they didn't make the biggest career in their life like say Bah. I think he is one of the best examples. But history doesn't lie, history is the best judge of that. And the audience too. However, it sometimes happens that great artists and painters have a vision 50 years in advance. So, what will be listened to and watched in 50 years, what will be enjoyed, they now, in I don't know how, manage to transfer to reading. I really believe in that great judge, and that is history," notes Pejčić.
However, it is precisely the audience that must be educated and learn to listen to and love classical music, because for now the 300-400-seat hall can be filled.
"You know, it's a long-term process, and I can freely tell you that, after the pandemic we had recently, it was a big problem in the Western world, whose tradition is classical music, to bring people to the concert. It is something that needs to be nurtured, to build an audience, to respect the audience, to make programs that will interest a younger audience, a new audience, to come to the concert and share with the artists, it is a wonderful, special experience, which is indispensable to any YouTube, any stream, platform and so on. Looking at this year's program and last year's programs of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra, and choosing such a great leader, conductor, with whom I had the pleasure of talking so extensively about that topic, I think that the Montenegrin audience is in really good hands. I can say that without any doubt. And I am very happy to be able to share that process and that experience with the audience," concludes Pejčić.
He sees himself in pedagogy, although his focus is on a solo career
The young cellist is currently sharing his experience with audiences around the world. He had the opportunity to perform with orchestras such as: Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, Graz Philharmonic, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, BKO Ljubica Marić, Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia under the baton of distinguished conductors, and also at competitions won numerous awards. Critics consider him one of the best cellists of his generation in the world. He is sure that there is a day when he will share that experience with younger generations as a lecturer.
"I see myself in pedagogy, although the biggest focus for me personally will always be a solo career. All great soloists, that is, most of them, have at least some pedagogical experience, if not active. Artists like Janin Jansen teach, have their own classes, and that's not out of necessity, but out of a real lack of need to share the knowledge they possess through experience and time. I could absolutely see myself in that, and we'll see at what point I'm ready for something like that. I think that pedagogy is very important", he promises, although he is aware of the fact that knowledge is not easy to transfer.
"The professor explained to me that every cellist, pupil, student is like a lock, and the professor has a set of keys. It is the professor's responsibility to find an adequate key that fits the lock exactly and unlock that student's potential. I think it's a wonderful picture of that process and I absolutely agree with that, and it's up to the professor to make that set of keys as large as possible, as extensive as possible and to find the appropriate one. That's how I look at it and I'm slowly gathering experience, time, I'm 22 years old, I have time to learn and realize what would be important for a young cellist", adds Pejčić.
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