MUSIC CRITIC ASSIGMENT by Ezra Itaas

I decided to go watch a live concert video of a 2CELLOS concert live in the Verona
Arena in Rome, Italy which took place on the 11 th of May 2016 at 9:00pm. It was a
historical 5th anniversary concert, probably to do with the arena itself, starring
cellists Hauser Stjepan and Luka Sulic and Dusan Kranjc on the drums to back up
some of the songs played.

Positive things about the concert:

• The concert experience was very magical and fun with the beautiful and
colorful different tunes and perfect fitting melodies and harmonies filling the
whole arena underneath the night sky
• People were clapping, dancing and cheering when the exiting songs were
being played and even sometimes sang along, very much unlike in a formal
classical performance and there was no part of the concert that bore the
audience and me

A Negative thing about the concert:

• It seemed a bit too cold to stay out that night

Interesting things about the concert:

• I have never seen such unique cello performers like them before
• How rapidly fast and rough they used their bow in some songs causing lots of
horse hair to tear off their bow off

They began the concert with a very calm, soothing piece which settled the audience
down well after all the movement of people trying to find seats and doing other
things. I think if they began with a very loud (FF), rough song it might’ve have put the
audience into shock especially those who have not settled down in their seat yet.
The introducing song was probably the softest and calmest of all songs with it
played mostly with the dynamics (MF) or (F) and with a sweet and smooth (dolce
legato) walking pace (andante). Each song was more noticed to become more with
movement of their fingers and bows (getting faster) with the dynamics getting louder
and with a higher pitch and they began to use pizzicato, staccato and many other
techniques of playing which all depended on the song genre. This was iconically
heard in the Michael Jackson, Western and Rock & roll songs they played. There was
a pattern of very grazioso (graceful) and cantabile (allows for singing) songs, brassy
and Piu Mosso (played faster and more lively) songs and mixtures of both which
caused such distinguish moods of the audience and performers. The sweet,
expressive andante songs were perfect for couples and families to listen to. I saw
many couples having a sweet moment together as 2CELLOS played those type of
songs. The audience sat quietly while listening to the beautiful melodies and
harmonies and many closed their eyes, only admiring the graceful sounds of cellos.
These songs did not cause audience to cheer, clap, and get wounded up and jump
around. These actions of the audience were caused by the tempo, dynamics, timbre
and pitch being dramatically changed in the vivace (lively and fast) and presto
(extremely fast) and brassy (bold, harsh and loud) types of songs. Noticeably, most of
the bass lines of the songs were played prestissimo (faster than presto). Some of
these songs were upbeated with the audience clapping the tempo before it was
played which was accompanied by the performers. To add more colour to this song
genre, the drummer was introduced in one of the heavy metal rock songs which
caused fans and the performers go head banging. There were also different sound
effects of the sound being projected from the cellos, depending on the music genre.
For example, if they were a heavy metal song, the cello would be almost sounding
like an electric guitar which was very helpful with the performing.

Critical evaluation:

2CELLOS are VERY unique in their playing of different songs and there are no other
cello players I have ever heard of who play like them. My experience of watching the
concert was a straight up 10/10. I was always curious about the next song they
would do and there was no part of concert at all that bore me. The song choice and
variation was perfect and they really did well at expressing each song’s genre. The
melodies and harmonies fitted together perfectly and it was not the type of
performance where only one of them has the main part of a song. They added their
own amazing mixture of rhythms to each song making it more interesting and
enjoyable to watch and listen. Part of the concert was like watching a rock and roll
concert but with cellos. They do the most amazing covers of your favourite songs
especially those of Michael Jackson and heavy metal ones especially my favourite
cover “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. They are one of the most creative musicians I have
ever seen. If you want to watch classical instrument players being wounded up on
the stage with sweat drooling from their foreheads and the audience singing,
dancing, clapping and cheering and head banging with their favourite songs, then
come and buy a ticket for a 2CELLOS concert. The experience you would have in this
“classical ;)” concert would be unforgetful.