Exploring the Challenges of Peteris Vasks’s Cello Concerto No. 2
Peteris Vasks’s Cello Concerto No. 2, titled “Klatbutne” or “Presence,” is a profound exploration of musical complexity and emotional depth. Throughout this composition, there are numerous challenging moments that test even the most skilled musicians. The concerto opens with an exposed and virtuosic cadenza that sets a demanding tone. In the second movement, intricately rhythmic counterpoint reminiscent of Shostakovich adds to the piece’s complexity.
For the celebrated cellist Sol Gabetta, the greatest challenge lies not in the technical passages but in a seemingly simple chorale in D minor that concludes the concerto. At this juncture, she must transition from playing to singing—a task that she describes as particularly daunting. After more than half an hour of intense performance, her voice becomes dry, and her physical posture leans heavily over her cello. “And suddenly,” Gabetta shared in a video interview, “you need to be open and sing.”
The result of Gabetta’s clear, resonant voice joining her cello—alongside two string soloists from the orchestra—is both surprising and beautifully integrated. This concluding section is crafted to retroactively alter the listener’s entire perception of the piece. Vasks designed the Cello Concerto No. 2 to embody the cycle of life, with the entrance of the voice symbolizing metaphysical renewal and transformation.
“It’s like the birth of a baby that eventually grows into adulthood, and you can feel that journey expressed in the music,” Gabetta explains. “Then, at the moment when the singing voice emerges, it evokes the sense of someone who has passed away, representing the spirit that continues to exist.”
Vasks’s concerto is one of many contemporary works that challenge instrumentalists to incorporate singing into their performances. This requirement highlights the contrast between their finely honed instrumental skills and their typically less trained, yet often deeply expressive, vocal abilities. Such a task is no small feat; it demands exceptional aural and physical coordination, a more holistic approach to posture while playing, and a certain degree of fearlessness. Musicians must embrace the vulnerability of producing a sound they have not meticulously refined over their careers.