//The Great Escape to the Black Hole (4)//

Brahms Cello Sonata in E minor with Mischa Maisky and Pavel Gililov.
Posted by C. Bechstein (Bechstein1853).
From the documentary “Resonances” (2017)

 

Last year as I spotted this video on YouTube of Mischa Maisky playing Brahms Cello Sonata in E minor, my first reaction was “Wow!”. My second reaction was “Wait! The pianist!”  The pianist looked so familiar. So I dug up an old video that I watched many years ago.  It’s the same guy!!

Brahms Cello Sonata in E minor with Mischa Maisky and Pavel Gililov.
Posted by LOFTmusic.
From the documentary “Mischa Maisky – Beyond Words” (2003)

I remember the first time when I watched the 2003 video, I wasn’t very fond of it and asked my Teacher: “How come it sounds so rough?” Now I asked Teacher again why this new 2017 version, which I absolutely adore, sounds so different. Teacher explained nonchalantly, “The 2003 version has youthful fire whereas the 2017 version has the wisdom from life experience. They have a lot to say.”

Do I have a clue what they are actually saying in the video? No, I really wish I do. But I think I am starting to understand what going through life means as I get older myself. At least now whenever I watch a musician play, I have an uncontrollable desire to look very closely if that musician has something to say, even if I don’t know what the actual message is.  Sounds silly. But maybe, just maybe, someday I can see what he or she sees.