Rising Stars | Luna Pantoja

Musicians:

Luna Pantoja, cello

Ivan Petrenko, piano

Program:

Cassadó – Prelude

Get ready for a burst of fiery passion in Cassadó’s Prelude, a piece that feels like a whirlwind tour of Spain. Full of dramatic flair and lush, singing lines, it’s a perfect showcase for the cello’s ability to both whisper intimately and roar with power.

Schumann – Fantasiestücke, Op. 73

Schumann’s Fantasiestücke are like three musical short stories, each one revealing a different mood—from tender and dreamy to playful and lively. They’re quick, heartfelt glimpses into the composer’s deeply Romantic world.

Zart und mit Ausdruck

Lebhaft leicht

Rasch und mit Feuer

Brahms – Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor (Movements I–III)Brahms’ First Cello Sonata is a grand, sweeping conversation between cello and piano, full of drama, warmth, and yearning. Across these three movements, you’ll hear moments of quiet beauty and intense storminess, all woven together in music that feels both timeless and intensely personal.

Allegro non troppo

Allegretto quasi Menuetto

Allegro

Saint-Saëns – Allegro Appassionato Composed in 1873, Allegro Appassionato is a brilliant miniature that captures both elegance and fiery virtuosity in just a few minutes. Originally written for cello and piano, the work brims with restless energy, lyrical charm, and flashes of dramatic passion, allowing the soloist to showcase both expressive warmth and dazzling agility.

Our beautiful Steinway is on loan from the National Music Instrument Fund (NMF)