C Major Concerto Cello is a piece composed by Joseph Haydn. I am performing the first movement of it with a Cadenza and showcased it on February 14th, 2025 on a recital with my piano accompanist teacher.

I have been playing this piece for a year, and it is a strenuous piece. At the start, I couldn’t master any of the accelerated part, and always messing up my bowing and fingerings. The tune is totally ear-shattering and I sound like I’m cutting wood with a chainsaw.

However, as the days gradually pass, and I practice repeatedly, I can see my rapid improvement. I perform the notes with ease, my left hand pressing the strings, moving nimbly up and down while my right wrist shakes left and right in order to produce a bouncy sound. I can also recite the whole 9 minute performance, and played perfectly in sync with my piano accompanist teacher. Even when I forget a bit, I can quickly improvise back to the main tune and quickly adjust to the new part. But still, something feels vacant.

About a month before the recital, I start to add my own feelings with the music, doing crescendos and decrescendos, slowing down when possible, and then fastening up the pace. I also focus on relaxing my body, and sway with the music, with facial expressions including smiling at a soft note, and frowning with concentration at a trill of quick notes with a fast rhythm and high pitch. My music became much more full of feelings, and I spread my feelings to others who are listening to my piece.

I had a great recital, my cello teacher was there and he praised me as well. The other parents all talked to my parents later, praising me. I got such a big standing ovation that I bowed twice! And you only bow twice when the crowd is going wild!

Lastly, I want to thank my amazing cello teacher. I cannot put his name on the blog since I do not have consent from him, but without him teaching, I wouldn’t be half as good as I am now. I really improved a lot, and that was my first recital that I had included my feelings into my playing.