Alisa Weilerstein
She's young, accomplished, whip-smart and attractive, so why don't we hate her? A good question, until you hear her play her cello. J. Mark Scearce has written a brief Portland Phoenix feature on the ridiculously talented Weilerstein:
"Born in 1982, here she is, an Angel/EMI Classics international recording
artist, Columbia University dorm mate with former teen actress Julia Stiles, and
has been playing the cello 'seriously' since she was out of diapers. And
Weilerstein gets peeved by the word prodigy? Go figure.
As her Columbia College magazine quotes her, 'she prefers the word
‘precocious.’ ' Okay."
In support of Weilerstein's October 16 performance in Portland, Maine, Mr. Scearce unfurls a surprising amount of data in a short space on the precocious cellist. For example:
"Obsessed with the details of the post-teen life, the Columbia University Web
site reveals Weilerstein’s nickname ('Ali'), documents her first cello from her
grandmother (a toothbrush stuck in the bottom of a Rice Krispies box at age
two), and even how she paid her hefty Columbia tuition (most of an Avery Fisher
Career Grant)."
Well, we don't know about all that, but we know Weilerstein is more than good enough to appear on our humble little series. Our concert will take place on Sunday, May 4 at Jordan Hall. Don't worry, your patience will be rewarded.
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