Young Cellist a Marvel

Posted by arts_reviews

Posted: August 26, 2008 - 9:18 pm

(NOTE: Laura Koenig of Anchorage sent in this account of Christopher Hopkins debut last week. Have you seen or heard any good performances recently? Add your comments or ad hoc reviews below.)

For 10 years, the Anchorage Festival of Music under the tireless efforts and expertise of pianist Juliana Osinchuk has been presenting the Young Alaskan Artist Award to talented Alaskan bred musicians.

August 19 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church marked the debut recital of this year’s winner, cellist Christopher Hopkins, accompanied by Dr. Osinchuk.

Hopkins, who hails from Fairbanks, is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School and has amassed an impressive list of awards and performance experiences around the globe. It was a privilege to hear this fine young musician before he resumes his studies at Juilliard this fall.

I arrived at the performance the victim of too much Olympic gymnastics, but my befuddled brain quickly realized the depth of this young man’s musical ability. Had this been some sort of tumbling or apparatus event, I doubt any judge could argue deductions. The program was a tour de force from the cello literature featuring works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Brahms. Although Hopkins maintained a high level of technical fortitude and sensitive interpretation throughout the evening, standout moments include the masterful execution of
the rhythmically challenging (and exhausting) Scherzo from Beethoven’s Sonata and well, the entire Brahms Sonata. The latter features the lower range of the cello, and Hopkins certainly has a rich tone and tasteful command of vibrato. After the high octane ending of the Brahms, Hopkins did something extremely difficult: he completely shifted gears for a beautiful performance of “The Swan” by Saint-Saëns. The evening ended with two fun, virtuosic works by Squire and Van Goens, bringing inspiration to the young cellists in the audience.

In the last two weeks, we have read much about the outstanding achievements of Olympic athletes. The printed news and local broadcasts have showcased the activities especially of our Alaskan representatives in Beijing. The only moment I was distracted during the concert last week was by a float plane buzzing past the church windows during the Schumann. It was fleeting moment, but it made me smile at the counterpoint of such a quintisentially Alaskan symbol with such fine musicianship. Christopher Hopkins displays an impressive level of musical athleticism in which we all can take pride.

--Laura Koenig, Anchorage

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