Under the direction of Alondra de la Parra, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich performs the "Sinfonia impossibile" by her Mexican compatriot Arturo Márquez for the first time. Paul Handschke, solo violoncello, tells us how he prepares and joins his ensemble.
"I've never played Arturo Márquez's 'Sinfonía Imposible' before and plan to prepare for my solo part as usual. At home, I'll start by analysing the notes for myself and trying to get them into tempo. There's a recording with Alondra de la Parra on YouTube, so I can roughly estimate what expression the conductor has in mind when we work on the piece with her in Zurich. For each solo, we offer something in rehearsals, then discuss what the conductor wants, and in this way come closer to the interpretation. The fact that we are presenting the Swiss premiere doesn't make me nervous. I see it more as an opportunity to get involved. My predecessor and former teacher Thomas Grossenbacher has had a huge influence on my work and motivation. His way of organising and leading the cello group is still very noticeable today. He demanded that you give your all, not just for yourself, but for the group and for the whole orchestra. That everyone breathes together and this whole organism functions - that is always a new challenge."
Recorded by Katharine Jackson
