SHE RIDES HER BIKE WITH A CELLO ON HER BACK AND A BABY IN THE BASKET
Title: She rides her bike with a cello on her back and a baby in the basket
Year completed: 2022
Duration: 10 mins
Instrumentation: String Orchestra (Vln 1, Vln 2, Vla, Cello, Double Bass) and Percussion (1 player - could be done with 2)
Credits: Commissioned by Boris Brott for the Orchestre Classique de Montreal
Dedication: To Lotte Brott, with special thanks to Boris Brott (1944 - 2022)
Premiere: Orchestre Classique de Montréal, conducted by Geneviève Leclaire with Alexander Haupt on percussion, Montreal, Quebec May 17 2022 at Salle Pierre Mercure au Centre Pierre Péladeau
Program Note:
Composer' s Note - from January 2022
The cellist Lotte Brott was an inspiring person, although I know that only through the stories generously told to me by her son Boris. After learning the OCM season was dedicated to Lotte, I asked ifBoris was willing to share stories about her - in particular from his perspective as her son. After he told many astounding stories, I found myselfcaptivated by one beautiful moment: Lotte making her way through Montreal by bike, with her cello on her back and baby Boris strapped in a basket. I kept that image in my head as I wrote this piece, finding lyricism and exciting momentum. This work attempts to capture an approach to life that Lotte demonstrated - energy, charm, boldness, strength, and charm and grace even through hardships.
Composer' s Note - From April 8 2022
I write this addition just days after Maestro Boris Brott died. After all the plans to celebrate the life ofhis mother Lotte, now we will be adding the celebration ofBoris himself. I can remember the too-briefconversations I had with Boris when he described his mother - and now I hear the musical world repeating these same virtues for Lotte' s son: boundless energy, grace through hardship, bold and humble. And, at the core, an absolute beliefin the power ofmusic and the joy oflife.
I had dedicated my composition originally to Lotte Brott and the inspiration she became for me as a musician, a woman, and a mother. Even having never met her, she has a place in my memory and imagination. I now gratefully add Boris Brott to that place in my memory and my dedication for this piece. When I think ofthese amazing people, at the same moment I can see Boris's face with beautiful wrinkles and grey hair on a video call, and I can see a baby in the basket ofa bicycle, driven by a graceful lady with a cello balancing on her back - both ofthem on a journey to make music.
Thank you to the OCM and Taras Kulish, and thank you Boris.