Episode 60: A Tribute to Antonio Lysy

A tribute in words and music to the revered Heifetz Institute cellist and teacher Antonio Lysy, whose untimely death at the age of 60 shocked the music world.  Featuring performances of works by Lysy in solo and chamber music performances with Heifetz students, alumni, and faculty colleagues, all captured live in concert.

This Episode’s Playlist

Georg Friedrich Handel: Trio Sonata for Two Cellos in G, HWV 393
I. Andante
Antonio Lysy, cello | Mo Mo, cello | Coleman Itzkoff, cello continuo | Andrew Rosenblum, harpsichord
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.10.2016

Astor Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango
Antonio Lysy, cello | Anton Smirnoff, piano
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.06.2017

Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73:
I. Zart und mit Ausdruck [excerpt]
Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, piano
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013

Niccolo Paganini, arr. Sergio Drabkin: Paganissimo!
Steve Doane, cello | Antonio Lysy, cello | Rosemary Elliott, cello | David Geber, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 06.30.2017

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
Aria – Cantilena
Angela Azzarra, soprano | Antonio Lysy, cello | Yan Ho Cheng, cello | Caroline Paulsen, cello | Nicco Maziotto, cello | Joan Herget, cello | Boubacar Diallo, cello | Roric Cunningham, cello | Davis You, cello
First Presbyterian Church, Staunton VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.04.2019

Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73
II. Zart und mit Ausdruck [excerpt]
Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, piano
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013

Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 44
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
Ilya Kaler, violin | Youjin Lee, violin | Paul Neubauer, viola | Antonio Lysy, cello | Stefan Petrov, piano
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.172017

Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73
III. Rasch, und mit Feuer [excerpt]
Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, piano
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013

Go Deeper

• Read the tributes to Antonio Lysy and his impact at the Heifetz Institute by colleagues Nicholas Kitchen (Heifetz Institute Artistic Director), Daniel Heifetz (Heifetz Institute Founder), and Ralph Kirshbaum (co-director, Heifetz Chamber Music Seminar) here.
• Antonio Lysy describes his experience teaching at the Heifetz Institute and the particular characteristics of its students…
• While the Heifetz Institute was Antonio Lysy’s main summertime activity in the USA, he had an entirely different profile in his native Italy as the founder of the renowned festival Incontri in Terra di Siena, based in Villa La Foce in Val d’Orcia, Tuscany.