Sofie Spanget Takkula (Cello), Bjarke Mogensen (Accordian) and Camilla Sibani (Piano) at the Roundtower (Copenhagen)

4 June 2014

I've been waiting for this one since last Friday when I heard from Bjarke that he was playing in a concert at the roundhouse together with Cellist Sofie Takkula. 

Sofie Takkula plays Bach Cello Suite Nr 1

Since I learned that he played accordian, and then went online to listen to his playing, I've just been mesmorised by the diversity of this instrument and his ability to produce the most amazing music. First things first though. 

In addition to Bjarke, the evening also included solo performances by Sofie Takkula on Cello as well as duets with Camilla Sibani on piano. 

The evening kicked off with one of my favorites, Bach's Suite Nr 1, to which I was first introduced in prose while reading The Cello Suites by Eric Siblin.

Sofie Takkula joined by Camilla Sibani

Having read this amazing book, I was inspired to order Pablo Casals early 20th Century recording of the Cello Suites - DG digital release. 

Bach was followed by Shubert's Arpeggione Sonata (1824) a very long - too long sorry - piece which took us to the break, much needed I'm sure by Sofie and Camilla who by this stage had been playing Shubert for the past several hours - OK - 25 minutes perhaps!

Sofie and Bjarke prepare for Kraftwerk

A 20 minute break then took us to Bjarke and Sofie's duet performance of an amazing piece written by Sofia Gubaidulina called Fachwerk. Fachwerk comprises, not a duel between these two instruments, but rather, a slow passing back and forth in between shades of light and dark before the two instruments finally merge with a crescendo at exactly the same moment and position - the centre of the cross. I was left speechless by this piece. I was definitely not the only member of the audience to have been  taken on a personal journey by these two incredible musicians. As Fachwerk unfolded, I was continually reminded of the Japanese writer Murakani. Talking to Bjarke after the concert he was saying that it is very possible that the composer may have been influenced if not by Murakami then certainly by Japan. Indeed, Sofia have impacted strongly on Japan because she was awarded the Japanese Praemium Imperiale in 1998. As I write this post, I'm listening to other pieces by this amazing composer on a recording given to me by Bjarke after the concert. Aside from two encores, the main part of the concert concluded with a lovely three part Rhapsody (Rhapsodia Concertante) by Croatian Composer Boris Papandopolu.

This may have been my last concert here in Copenhagen. How privileged I feel not only to have enjoyed so many beautiful concerts, but also, I have made a few musician friends along the way with whom I am sure I will remain in contact. Tak Koebenhavn.