Meet our Artist of the Week, award-winning cellist Oded Hadar, who will be playing alongside our founder, cellist Elad Kabilio, at our Cello X 2 concert at HGU New York Hotel on Tuesday, February 11.
We recently spoke to Oded about his love of the cello and his connection to classical music. Here is what he had to say!
MT: When did you get started playing the cello? Did you know it was going to become a big part of your life?
Oded: I started playing the cello when I was 4 years of age. I had a babysitter who was an amateur cellist and she had me listen to a recording of Yo-Yo Ma playing the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations for cello and orchestra. I became obsessed with the cello from that point on and asked my parents to get me a tiny cello and find me a teacher. I had no idea the extent to which this would eventually fill my life, as I was mainly treating it as a toy in my first few years of playing.
MT: Who are some of your favorite composers to play or listen to?
Oded: The truth is that it’s hard to choose a final list of favorite composers because I find that my list changes frequently based on my age, what I am playing, and what mood I am in. Right now, my favorite composer is Schubert. I recently played his two–cello string quintet and it reminded me of how much I love his music
MT: What do you like about playing in a duo that’s two cellos? Is it a unique combination?
Oded: It’s always fun to have a musical dialogue with another cellist. As a cello groupie, playing music for 2 cellos just doubles the amount of joy for me 🙂 I’m very excited about this upcoming concert. For me it is an opportunity to play together with a wonderful musician whom I have known for many years, starting when we both studied in Tel Aviv with the same teacher. The program of the concert is unique (one that you don’t often get a chance to hear) and I am looking forward to having a good time on stage with Elad.
MT: Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
Oded: I would have to put Yo-yo Ma at the top of my list since he was the first person who made me fall in-love with the cello. Another artist that inspires me on a daily basis is my wife – Molly Carr. She is an amazing musician from whom I learn constantly and who helps me with my endeavors as an artist
MT: Tell us something not many people know about you?
Oded: I recently applied for doctoral programs in psychology after getting a second master’s in clinical psychology at Columbia University and am looking forward to eventually becoming a licensed clinical psychologist. I am also a huge basketball fan and the worst cook in the world 🙂
