Rachel Mercer Cellist
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
03/19/22
•73m
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In this conversation with the really inspiring cellist, Rachel Mercer, we discuss the arc of her career so far as a chamber musician, soloist, principal cellist, the late Yehonatan Berick, an amazing violinist and pedagogue, who was her life partner, "Our Strength, Our Song" with her sister, the wonderful violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner and many other chamber music collaborations and unique projects, as well as her way of approaching music. Rachel very generously made a special recording of the Prelude from J.S. Bach's fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011, and her heartfelt introduction to the power of this music is right after our conversation, so please keep listening till the end! There are timestamps below, and the Bach with her introduction is also a separate bonus episode.
The video version of this episode is here, linked on my website with the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer
To learn more about Rachel, her recordings and current projects: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/
Help me with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman This podcast costs me a lot of time and money, and I could really use the help and encouragement. Thanks!
Photo credit: David Leyes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:24) Bonjour Strad and other cellos through Canada Council
(06:19) Baroque performance practice influences and Anner Bylsma
(11:41) Vriendenkrans competition and playing in the Concertgebouw
(13:44) debut solo record “Room”
(15:13) Ernst Reijseger
(16:10) Rachel’s studies with different teachers including Shauna Rolston, Laurence Lesser,Dmitri Ferschtman
(21:10) Aviv Quartet, experiences in South Africa and Israel
(24:49) Yehonatan Berick
(28:38) the influences of many different teachers
(30:13) Ilona Feher, Yehonatan’s teacher
(31:34) Rachel’s obaasan and the experience of Japanese Canadian families internment during the Second World War
(34:18) Rachel’s sister violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner
(36:05) Return to Canada and a career as a chamber musician
(37:59) “Mosaïque Project” with Ensemble Made in Canada
(40:18) Playing orchestral auditions
(43:58) Pre-concert routine and mindfulness
(46:22) Dream journals and realizing projects
(47:34) album “Our Strength, Our Song” with sister Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner
(50:06) Rachel’s way of practicing and learning music
(55:08) Advice and inspiration from the younger generations of musicians
(57:10) Rachel’s introduction to the Bach
(59:03) Prelude from J.S. Bach’s fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011
Previous Episode
Kirsty Money Nyckelharpa Video Version for Spotify
March 16, 2022
•28m
I have re-released this in video format for those who follow this podcast on Spotify! Here’s my very first interview of this podcast, recorded May 27, 2021 over Zoom, I spoke with Kirsty Money about her nyckelharpa journey and she demonstrates this beautiful instrument for us, as well as shares some charming stories about how she learned about the nyckelharpa. She plays some Bach, a traditional Swedish tune, and one of her own compositions, The Grind Polska. As a separate bonus, at the end of this video you can hear our improv together.
If you're not on Spotify, the video is available on my YouTube, and is linked on my website along with the podcast format: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney
For Kirsty's new album, released 2022: https://kirstymoney.bandcamp.com/releases
For those of you who want to study or learn more about Kirsty: https://kirstymoney.ca/ Here’s her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuDe...
Buy me a coffee? Check out my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
photo credit: Hamish Gordon
Next Episode
In this short bonus episode, you'll hear clips from the conversation I had with the amazing award-winning singer, song-writer and motivational speaker, Kellylee Evans. You'll also hear short clips from the performance she gave of "Feelin' Good", one of the most-requested songs in her repertoire, by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.
For the complete episode in both video and podcast format, as well as the complete transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/kellylee-evans-transcript-podcast-and-video-e4-s2
For everything Kellylee Evans: https://kellyleeevans.com
Please buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! I'm an independant podcaster who does all the many jobs and I bear a lot of costs as well.
I'd love to keep this series going!
photo credit: Phantom Productions
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