The year of 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth (1770-1827).  There are celebrations globally for this arguably the most influential composer in the history of music. In his prolific lifetime as a composer, Beethoven had written some of the finest works for the cello, including his five cello sonatas, three theme and variations for cello and piano, as well as a long list of great chamber and orchestral works that utilized, explored and challenged the full potentials of what the cello could do both musically and technically.

Just outside our doors on the beautiful Walton Commons, the power of Beethoven’s heart and hands will be put on display by his long-time admirers. Learning Beethoven pieces is always a rite of passage for cello players. His music demands passion.

“Heartstrings: Beethoven’s 250th Birthday Celebration,” brings to you some of the most memorable Beethoven tunes including excerpts from the “Moonlight” Sonata and Für Elise, and the fiery Symphony No. 5 that is amazingly juxtaposed with disco elements in Walter Murphy’s A Fifth of Beethoven.  As a contrast, the distinguished guest soloist artist Jessika Soli will be featured in the singing cello line of Ennio Morricone: Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission as well as the delightful Bourrée, Op. 24 by W. H. Squire.  Soli will be joined by the Acceso Cello Quartet among others in playing a transcription of Beethoven’s Judas Maccabaeus Variations that was originally written for cello and piano.  The program will also include Over the Rainbow, The Swan, Tallis’ Canon, Adagio from Elgar’s Cello Concerto, among other beautiful arrangements for cello ensemble.

Jessika Soli is an active recording artist, chamber musician, and is the newly appointed Adjunct Cello Professor at Southern Utah University. She received her cello performance degree from the University of Utah, where she studied with John Eckstein and also attended the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, where she studied with Andrew Smith.

She was principle cellist of the Southwest Symphony for two years and principle cellist of the UNLV orchestra. She is currently the Vice President of the Cello Society of Southern Utah and performs regularly with the Chamber Music Society in St. George, UT and the Maven Quartet. She also has a cello studio located in Santa Clara where she teaches a large class of talented cellists.

In 2018, she won in the top three finalists for the Blizzcon Talent Show at the Anaheim convention center in LA. She arranged and recorded her own version of Daughter of the Sea, which can be seen below. Her love for fantasy and video games has led her to arrange and perform music from her favorite games and movies as well as popular music.

The Acceso Cello Quartet consists of cellists MaryAnn Oram, Peter Romney, Mattison Warren and Ka-Wai Yu.  Inspired by the Italian word for “ignited”–”acceso,” the four versatile cellists share a strong passion to bring arts to the community through great music written/arranged for cello quartet. The quartet was founded in 2017, and has since then performed regularly in the Southern Utah area where the four cellists call home. Known for their sonorous ensemble sound, great virtuosity and sensitive musicianship, the Acceso Cello Quartet performs a wide range of repertoire from Classical music to popular arrangements.  They were recently featured in the DSU Dance Faculty Concert and the Red Rock Dance Festival, performing a mashup arrangement of Schubert’s Serenade and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody in collaboration with Dixie State University dance faculty and students. They have also given outreach performances in the Southern Utah Veterans Home, the Dixie PREP summer program, and in local schools.

The Cello Society of Southern Utah (CSSU) was founded in February 2016.  The CSSU Cello Ensemble brings together cellists from Southern Utah and surrounding areas to explore the exciting multi-cello repertoire in ensembles.  Past performances of the ensemble have included appearances at the Dixie State University Cello Festival, the Utah American String Teachers Association Conference, Christmas Concert at the Southern Utah Veterans Home, and the Dickens Festival in St. George. “We welcome cellists of all levels and all ages to join us. The St. George Cello Ensemble meets regularly at the Eccles Fine Arts Center on DSU campus. We also organize workshop sessions such as master classes, beginners’ cello classes and stretching-physical warm-ups.”  Website: www.southernutahcello.org.

Thanks to our generous Presenting Sponsors, Sagewood Homes and Properties and Desert Dwellers Real Estate!