Poste Restante 18/4

About the Performance

Participants

Artist in residence for the season: Torleif Thedéen
Guest: Marianna Shirinyan, piano

Concert introduction: Conversation with the musicians at 15.20

Program

Leoš Janáček (1854-1928): Pohádka
Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996): Orion
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Preludes op. 34 arr. for cello and piano by Lera Auerbach
Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943): Melody, op. 21, no. 9 in arr. for cello and piano.
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Only he who feels longing, op. 6 no. 6 and Do not believe, my beloved
op. 6 no 1 in arr. for cello and piano
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): Cello Sonata in A minor, op. 36

Torleif Thedéen and renowned pianist Marianna Shirinyan have worked together as a duo for many years. In this concert, we will hear a selection of their favorite repertoire by Grieg, Shostakovich, Takemitsu and Rachmaninov.

“For more than 10 years we have traveled and performed together through a variety of projects and festivals. There are so many memories it feels completely impossible to choose just one. One thing is certain though, it is always wonderful to spend time with Torleif both on and off stage.”
Marianna Shirinyan on working with Torleif

Orion’s belt

‘Orion’, composed in 1984 by Tōru Takemitsu, comes from a larger orchestral work based on numerical symbolism – the three stars of Orion’s belt. Japanese composer Takemitsu is renowned for his self-taught and innovative compositional technique, blending the sounds and playing techniques of different musical cultures.

Shostakovich Preludes

Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes were written in 1933 as a way of returning to the concert stage after three years of silence. It is a collection of short, characterful piano pieces in different keys, and it contains every emotional mood. In the 1930s, 19 of the preludes were arranged for violin and piano; in 2000, the composer and pianist Lera Auerbach made arrangements for piano and cello of the remaining five preludes.

Melancholy romances

The duo also performs three romantic songs arranged for cello and piano. One of Tchaikovsky’s famous songs, ‘Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt’ op. 6, no. 6, (Only he who knows longing) is a famous romance composed in 1869. Based on a German text by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the song is known for its wistful expression. ‘Ni za chto, ne pover’, moy drug’ (Don’t believe my love) is the first romance in Tchaikovsky’s Op. 6. 6. The song has a text by Alexei K. Tolstoy.

Grieg’s main

The Russian composer Rachmaninov is also known for his grand romantic melodies, as in
“Melodija” (Melody), which is part of a collection of 12 romances from 1902 with text by Semyon Nadson,
performed here for cello and piano.

Torleif and Marianna conclude this concert evening with one of Grieg’s greatest chamber music works, the
Cello Sonata for Cello and Piano, his only work for this combination, composed in 1883.

Returning guest

Marianna is an internationally sought-after soloist and chamber musician, known for her vibrant and virtuosic playing and a regular guest at a number of international festivals. Her last visit to Uppsala was in the spring of 2026, when she was the Uppsala Chamber Orchestra’s soloist in Grieg’s Piano Concerto.

Celebrated recordings

“Shirinyan’s energy and clear playing are infectious.” Gramophone Magazine wrote, and this can be heard on her many acclaimed and award-winning recordings with Dóra Kokas and Torleif Thedéen, among others. Shirinyan is also professor of piano at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and formerly at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Torleif Thedéen c/o Musik i Uppland

Swedish cellist Torleif Thedéen is one of the most prominent instrumentalists in the world, with an international career as a soloist, recording artist and educator. In a career spanning four decades, Torleif has performed with some of the world’s greatest musicians, orchestras and conductors and won first prize in several international cello competitions. Now he invites chamber music stars from Sweden and abroad