In Friday’s (10/23) Denver Post, Kyle MacMillan writes, “The Colorado Symphony’s audition committee had narrowed down its 40 candidates for principal cellist to just a handful. But there was one pressure-filled final test—each was asked to perform a piece of chamber music. Silver Ainomäe, who had traveled from his native Estonia for the tryout, chose a Mozart quartet to perform with three symphony string players and then joined music director Jeffrey Kahane, who is also a concert pianist, in a Beethoven sonata. Quickly everyone realized: He was the one. … Ainomäe, 27, who had only been to the United States twice before, was hired. In September, he took his place at the front of the cello section, replacing Jurgen de Lemos, who retired at the end of last season after 41 years. … Symphony audiences have had a few chances to hear the blond cellist during the opening weeks of the 2009-10 season, but they’ll get their first up-close opportunity this weekend, when he presents his debut Denver-area recital. Ainomäe, who performs on an 1897 instrument by Stefano Scarampella, a noted Italian violin and cello maker, will appear at 2 p.m. Saturday in Englewood’s Hampden Hall. The program includes a cello transcription of Cesar Franck’s beloved Violin Sonata in A major.”
Posted October 23, 2009
