Research/Lecture recitals

I give lecture recitals on various topics of performance practice, music theory, score reading, early recordings, and music history aimed at either professional musicians or for a more general audience.

My two current lecture recitals for a general audience are:

Talk on J.S. Bach Cello Suites

Cellist Erlend Vestby explores the J.S. Bach Cello Suites from a historical perspective and through his own experiences as a performer and teacher. You are invited to a behind-the-scenes peak into the learning processes of the suites where some of the questions performers tend to ask will be discussed. Ways of understanding musical shaping and rhetoric stands central. Live examples will be played on both the modern classical cello as well as on the period instrument.  

Putting history into practice: Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Cellist Erlend Vestby discuss early 20th century orchestral playing based on his 2020 performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto. Elgar’s own recordings will be paired with Erlend’s historically informed recording and live examples to illustrate extreme tempo rubato, the use of portamento, and other performance practices. The RCM library owns the autograph manuscript of the concerto and Beatrice Harrison’s personal copy of the solo part; both will be shown on screen.

“It is the best lecture I have ever been to, and I go to a lot.”

“Not only did I enjoy your lecture recital, but I still remember much of what you talked about. I have applied this to my listening and it has revolutionised the way I hear and understand music!”

Audience members after LFBM Bach talk 14 May 2022

Contact me for bookings or enquiries about other lectures.