Cellist Alisa Weilerstein wins 'Genius' award

[jserraglio]

Well deserved. I heard her play at age 11 on a 3/4 size cello -- the Shostokovich Piano Trio No 2. Even back then, it was obvious she was something special and would have a great career

http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQ ... rstein.htm

[John F]

A good cellist, certainly. A "genius"? I don't see it. But that's not what the MacArthur Foundation calls its own fellowships. If they found the "exceptional creativity" they seek to support in this performer's work, and see the potential for more, that's their call. Personally, I take the word "creativity" literally, and find it more in composers than performers. But I'm always happy when classical musicians and classical music get recognition from outside, and so I'm happy about this too.

[NancyElla]

I'll be hearing her tonight with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and I'm looking forward to it.

[jserraglio]

I am also a longtime fan of her dad, violinist Donald Weilerstein, one of the founding members of the Cleveland Quartet [2nd from left in the pic below] -- their old RCA & Philips LPs sparked my interest in chamber music.

[stickles]

CSO is currently streaming the Dvorak concerto with Weilerstein free of charge. Check it out.
http://cso.org/ListenAndWatch/Details.aspx?id=17644