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On the morning of the Pasadena concert, David’s cello was not sounding itself. The duo ventured into the hills to visit instrument makers Brenda and Mario Miralles, who had once repaired an open seam on Sam Zygmuntowicz’s cello with the maker’s blessing. Mario and Brenda live in an extraordinary location: their home sits in National Forest land amongst a group of cottages whose long-time owners retain the exclusive rights to live there. The route takes one up over the crest of the San Gabriel Mountains overlooking Pasadena and Los Angeles.
The property is approached through a locked gate which Brenda hiked out to open.
The drive to their home involves driving through a stream.
Mario prefers to carry clients’ instruments himself up the rocky stairs.
Mario examines the cello in their shop that overlooks the stream. On the left lies a violin “in the white” being made for Chamber Music Society Two violinist Arnaud Sussmann, who commissioned Mario after hearing his instruments while on tour with CMS in California this season.
Wu Han holds Arnaud’s violin.
Mario found several loose seams on the cello, which he glued up in 25 minutes. Immediately the cello sounded its old great self again.
The return to the car was as perilous as the inbound journey.
David and his cello insisted on forging the stream themselves.
The recital took place only two hours later at Cal Tech’s Beckman Hall and was presented by the Coleman Chamber Music Association. The duo played its Vienna Program of Schubert, Beethoven, Webern and Brahms to an enthusiastic, packed house.
During the CD signing the duo was surprised by the famous New York photographer Christian Steiner (left) who was in the audience. Christian is the photographer for most of the duo’s ArtistLed record covers and all their publicity photos.
At the duo’s request, Christian snapped this photo with the $7.99 disposable camera that they had bought at the last minute to record their visit to the Miralles shop. Christian’s fine touch is evident even with the lowest-end equipment!
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