I also love Shanghai's hairy crabs, and the resident artist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Gothier Kapson, loves the vitality of Shanghai
On the evening of September 22, French cellist G ó tienne Capson collaborated with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, led by young conductor Yuan Ding, to perform Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor. Kapson, known as the "busiest cellist in the world," is a resident artist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra for the 2023-24 music season. He will collaborate with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra multiple times throughout the season to bring different works to Shanghai fans.
At the concert, the Shanghai Women's Quartet also collaborated with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to bring Elgar's Introduction and Allegro for the String Quartet Chord Orchestra. In the second half, the band also performed Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 in G major.
Kapson and Yuan Ding
In April this year, Capson became the first overseas art master to appear on stage in Shanghai after a three-year hiatus. Five months later, he returned. "Shanghai is an incredible and vibrant city, a place of multiculturalism. What's even more irresistible to me is the cuisine here, such as hairy crabs. However, I heard that hairy crabs are not yet in their prime season, but unfortunately, I came too early."
Gothier Kapson
Kapson chose Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor as his debut for the resident music season. Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor was once famous for the performance of legendary cellist Jacqueline Dupree. Dupree unleashed the powerful emotional power within it, allowing people to rediscover this work. Due to suffering from multiple sclerosis, her muscle ability rapidly deteriorated and she had to bid farewell to the stage. In 1973, at the age of 28, Dupree made her last public performance in London. Under the command of Zubin Meta, she performed Elgar's "Cello Concerto in E minor" for the last time. Dupree's fate has imbued this piece with a deeper tragic color.
Concert venue
"We were all moved by Dupree's recording. I remember listening to her cello concerto for the first time at the age of six or seven, and being moved to tears by her performance." Kapson said, "She played the Elga concerto with true calmness, and to some extent, you can feel that she is real and can enter her soul and heart. Her performance is always in our ears, as well as in our hearts."
One week after his performance in Shanghai, Capson will record Elgar's "Cello Concerto in E minor" with Antonio Piano and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Over the years, in addition to performing worldwide, Capson also established a foundation to support young musicians. "I believe that helping young musicians aged 18 to 25 is very important. We have sponsored over 18 musicians and held about 100 concerts for them."
Shanghai Women's Quartet
At the concert, there was also a performance of Elgar's work - "Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet Chord Orchestra". The Shanghai Women's Quartet, led by Liu Ming, the chief of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Zhu Wenjia, the second violin chief, Ba Tong, the viola chief, and Zhu Lin, the cello chief, was composed of four members.
Yuan Ding, the conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra who coached for the second time, said, "All four performers are outstanding CEOs. This time, as an independent whole, they sat in front of the band and led the entire string part in different ways. From daily work to rehearsals, we can feel their enthusiasm for band culture, chamber music culture, and pursuit of the ultimate music."
Shanghai Women's Quartet
As a resident artist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra this season, Capson will also return to Shanghai in December to collaborate with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Ditois. He still remembers that his first performance in China with his brother Reno Capson was in collaboration with Ditois.
In May next year, he will also collaborate with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, led by Ye Yongshi, to perform Didier's cello concerto "The Distant World". "Didier is one of the most important musicians and composers in France. I was fortunate to have worked with him 10 years before his death, playing his cello concerto. This is a magical work, poetic and complex, yet with such beautiful colors and pure tranquility."
