During a recital in San Diego with pianist Daniel del Pino, cellist Amit Peled shared a delightful anecdote with the audience. He explained that just a few days earlier, he received a phone call from an instrument dealer in Boston. The dealer had an extraordinary offer: the owner of a rare and exquisite 1780 Storioni cello wanted to lend it to Peled to play for a while.
Feeling honoured by the gesture, Peled agreed and arranged for the cello to be sent to Baltimore, where he lives. From there, he brought it to California for the recital.
Introducing the cello to the audience, Peled said with a smile, “So I just got this baby. You’re going to witness what the first date looks like musically and cellistically.”
He then joked about the concept of a “first date,” saying he could barely remember it since he had been married for 25 years. “But if I remember right,” he continued, “first, you don’t jump in right away. You start with small moves. So, to be on the safe side, I will ask you to bear with me for one piece before we dive in.”
Peled then announced his plan: he would play The Swan by Saint-Saëns—not just for the audience, but also for the Storioni itself. “We need to get to know each other,” he said. “We’ve never played for people before.”
Subscribe to our newsletter