Скачать или смотреть "Ode to the World" performed by the composer, Aaron Minsky, London, 2023

"Ode to the World" is from Ten International Cello Encores, published by OUP. The title is a combination of "Ode to Joy" and "Joy to the World". It is the finale of the suite, comprised of reworked parts of many of the previous movements, showcasing the beauty of varied cultures around the world. "Ode to the World' was the centerpiece of the Global Cello Day program presented by the London Cello Society, 2023.

The encore begins with a simple statement of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", soon going into a Tchaikovsky-esque virtuoso intro, landing on a section of the Asian inspired "Laughing Raindrops" (done very softly this time with a loud A chord reminiscent of Haydn's "Surprise") going up an octave at the end, leading us back to a hearty version of the "Ode"... only to be interrupted by a flourish that lands us into a variation the the "Mongolian Horsemen". This, in turn, builds and finally morphs into a grand statement of "Hu Ya'aseh Shalom". Suddenly we are back doing a "Cell-tic Jig" (this time with the bow) which leads us to the final statement of the "Ode" as a grand jig. This builds up into what seems to be the end when we hear in the distatnce a quiet African beat that grows finally becoming a classical chordal coda, which, with a final chromatic run (Von Cello style) we land triumphant on the final D chord!

With this last movement, that ties together the others, the ten encores really do make a statement as a suite. However, the individual pieces may also be played as encores, at the end, but really anywhere in a recital. Enjoy!