NPR's Book of the Day: Summary of Kate Kennedy's Cello
Introduction to Cello and Its Author In the January 15, 2025 episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Andrew Limbong delves into Cello, a nonfiction work by BBC broadcaster and cellist Kate Kennedy. The book intertwines memoir and musical detective story, exploring the lives of four passionate cellists. Limbong introduces the narrative as one that transcends mere interest in the cello, capturing universal themes of obsession and the profound connections individuals form with their passions. He remarks, “these are stories about obsession, about loving something so much you're willing to travel the world to look for stories about other people who are just as in love with that thing as you are” ([00:02]).
The Deep Bond Between Musicians and Their Instruments Kate Kennedy discusses the intricate relationship musicians have with their instruments. Reflecting on her personal connection, she shares, “I think if my apartment were on fire and I had to save one thing, it would be my cello” ([02:23]). This intense bond is a central theme in her book, mirroring her own experiences as a cellist who faced a debilitating arm injury. Kennedy explains her motivation for writing Cello: “I thought, as a biographer, I'm going to put my biographer's hat on my cello identity, if that's even an image, and see if I could actually puzzle out what this relationship is by looking at other people's relationships and talking to so many other cellists about what does this instrument mean to us” ([02:40]).
Profiles of Remarkable Cellists
Lise Christiani: The Trailblazing Female Soloist One of the cellists profiled in Kennedy's book is Lise Christiani, the first female professional cello soloist from Paris in the 1840s. Kennedy highlights Christiani's extraordinary journey and the gender challenges she faced: “this is a huge gender issue” ([03:24]). Christiani captivated Europe with her performances, including a remarkable expedition across Russia with a Stradivari cello wrapped in wolf fur. Despite the lack of recordings, her legacy endures through historical accounts, such as the influence she had on composer Felix Mendelssohn. Kennedy notes, “Felix Mendelssohn... wrote a very beautiful, very famous song without words for her” ([04:34]).
Paul Hermann: A Musical Genius Lost to History Another significant figure in Cello is Paul Hermann, a Hungarian cellist of exceptional talent and compositional prowess. Kennedy recounts Hermann's tragic fate during the 1930s in Berlin, where rising anti-Semitism forced him into hiding before his eventual capture by the Gestapo ([05:41]). Determined to uncover his story, Kennedy traces Hermann's last known whereabouts to a concentration camp in Lithuania, bringing her cello into the very cell where he was held. In this poignant moment, she plays Bach’s Second Suite, describing the experience as “the most extraordinarily powerful” she has ever had ([07:10]).
The Detective Story: Unraveling Paul Hermann’s Legacy Cello serves as both a biography and a mystery as Kennedy seeks to piece together the life and fate of Paul Hermann. Her journey leads her to Lithuania, where she immerses herself in Hermann’s history. A significant breakthrough comes when Hermann's cello concerto is discovered among his daughter's possessions. Kennedy describes the concerto as “optimistic” and “forward looking,” reflecting Hermann's vibrant personality: “He was huge fun... that was who he was” ([08:17]). This discovery not only resurrects Hermann’s musical contributions but also honors his enduring spirit.
Recreating Hermann’s Cello Concerto: A Musical Tribute In a moving tribute, Kennedy attempts to perform Hermann’s rediscovered concerto. She shares her preparation process: “I even sent it to my cello teacher back in college, and he had never heard of it” ([08:43]). Despite the technical challenges, she embraces the opportunity to bring Hermann’s music to life. The performance is met with admiration for its “optimistic” and “uplifting” qualities, showcasing the concerto’s modernity and the emotional depth it conveys ([09:51]). Kennedy expresses her connection to Hermann’s spirit through the music, emphasizing the importance of remembering his energy and lightness.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Music and Resilience Kate Kennedy’s Cello is a testament to the enduring power of music and the resilience of those who dedicate their lives to their art. Through her meticulous research and personal reflections, Kennedy not only honors the legacies of remarkable cellists like Lise Christiani and Paul Hermann but also explores the universal bond between musicians and their instruments. As Kennedy eloquently puts it, “the cello... is the thing that we are closest to for most of our lives” ([02:03]). Cello offers listeners a profound exploration of passion, memory, and the timeless language of music.
Notable Quotes
- Andrew Limbong ([00:02]): “These are stories about obsession, about loving something so much you're willing to travel the world to look for stories about other people who are just as in love with that thing as you are.”
- Kate Kennedy ([02:23]): “I think if my apartment were on fire and I had to save one thing, it would be my cello.”
- Kate Kennedy ([03:24]): “This is a huge gender issue.”
- Kate Kennedy ([04:34]): “Felix Mendelssohn... wrote a very beautiful, very famous song without words for her.”
- Kate Kennedy ([07:10]): “I played Bach. I played the Second Suite, which is so mournful and so lonely and so beautiful. It was the most extraordinarily powerful experience I've.”
- Kate Kennedy ([08:43]): “I even sent it to my cello teacher back in college, and he had never heard of it.”
- Kate Kennedy ([09:51]): “He was huge fun... that was who he was.”
- Kate Kennedy ([02:03]): “...they adored their instrument in the way that I do... it’s the thing that we are closest to for most of our lives.”
Kate Kennedy, author of Cello, provides a compelling narrative that intertwines personal memoir with historical investigation, offering listeners an engaging and insightful exploration of the world of cello music.