Music At Jenolan Caves by Georg Mertens-Moussa

On one hand you can listen to the complete works for cello solo by Bach - distributed over the year - and on the other hand music from Brazil and Spain, Romantic favourites to Eastern improvisations and works written especially for the inspiring ambience of the Cathedral Chamber, a variety program enjoyable for a wide audience.

Solo cello is in general a heavy program with long works like the Suites by Bach and compositions inspired by Bach by eg. Reger, Britten and Kodaly, the shortest of these lasting 16 minutes.

A funny incident started to shake this kind of program: in September 1997 champagne and cheese used to be offered before the concerts. At the last concert of the series one of the visitors - having already attracted attention walking up the stairs and loosing balance - called out in the middle of one of the movements: "When does the next piece start?" As Mertens later stated he had an exceptional good day, being convinced having displayed the difference of the movements splendidly. On one hand he said he was shocked, on the other hand he realised straight away what the visitor meant - although drunk. The whole program was not only one instrument solo, not only all Baroque, not only all Bach, but all of these together.

Georg Mertens decided to create a diverse program, accessible not only for the dedicated classical music lover, but a wide audience. He had in mind the example of classical guitar concerts. He himself had given more than a 100 solo guitar concerts in Europe. Masters like Andres Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams had created during the 20th century a solo guitar concert, which gained popularity because it was versatile, incorporated a diversity of styles. Mertens wanted to create a similar cello solo concert and started to transcribe music, compose pieces as well as introducing free improvisations on stage.

Cello concerts are held on every 3d Saturday of the month 4pm.

Bookings: 02 6359 3911 or 1300 76 3311.

Limit per concert are 75 visitors.

Wine & cheese is offered at Jenolan Caves House after the concerts.

Private concerts can be booked.

You find the current program on the linked website (www.georgcello.com).

Biography:

Born in Aachen, Germany. Studied at the Musikhochschule Freiburg. Received a scholarship to masterclass with Enrico Mainardi, later masterclass with Janos Starker. Concerts in Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Berlin, Cologne, Brussels, tours of France, Sweden, several tours of Germany & Australia.

In Australia recording of the complete 6 Suites for cello solo by J.S.Bach in 1993. Also recordings of Solo suites by Britten, Brahms Sonata e min.

Performed Schubert's Sonata for Arpeggione to the 20 year celebration of 2 MBS FM.

More of Georg's compositions are recorded on the CD - Sounds of Timber.

You can hear Georg playing cello also on the CD's: "Music for Grand Dining". "Blue Mountains Gypsies" and "Sounds of Timber".

Georg is also a Classical guitarist and performed over a period of 10 years rather guitar than cello. During this time he recorded a LP and a Cassette, which are compiled on the CD "re issued".

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