Hi Everyone! Andrea here!
So besides doing awesome stuff here at Wrapunzel, most of you are aware that I’m also a professional cellist. I often recieve messages from you Wrapunzel ladies asking when/where I’m going to be performing and I’m what up to in terms of music, so I’m really excited to share here something we’ve been working on for a while now that has finally come to fruition!
My husband and I are often asked, “Why would you young people, with so much to give, devote your lives to a dying art?” And our answer is simple, “Who says it’s dying?” We believe that music is the universal language, the vessel that connects this world to the world above. It opens up places within us that words (and even scarves!) fail to penetrate. What is ‘dying’ is the elitist presentation of classical music; our audiences are desperate to connect, and we, the musicians, have a responsibility to take you through an expedition that transcends the physical and penetrates the soul. Simply hitting the right notes (no matter how impressive) and playing expressively isn’t enough anymore. In short, it is our dream that our audiences experience the same joy and elevation that we as professional musicians feel when we play and listen. My husband especially has a rare gift of being able to speak words that allow audience members to go on a guided journey, instead of feeling like they’re on their own in the murkiness.
We started this concert series called Chamber Encounters. The main musicians in it are myself, my husband, and violist, Sarah Lowenstein. We are bringing in guest artists from all over the world to join us and are engaging with our audience in a way that breaks down the museum glass wall that so many concerts seem to have. Music becomes alive, and performances are a once in a lifetime experience between us, the musicians, and the audience.
Anyway, I digress. I could talk about this stuff for ages!
We had an amazing photoshoot for our group, and our first concert is going to be on November 24th, presented by the Gordon Center here in Maryland. We are playing INCREDIBLE music! Two of these pieces are on my bucket list to play in this lifetime. I have no words. Barber Adagio for Strings. The Borodin.
Let me know if you want to hear more about this! (And here are some more photos!)
The Wrapunzel Blog 
Next will be a CD so we can listen anytime we like😊
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it sounds wonderful. Great photo shoot. Too bad that I can’t get to Maryland to hear and see you et al. And, it’s hard traveling with baby at home. Will you have anything on YouTube for the rest of us? I really would love to hear it.
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We’re hoping to get some decent videos taken of it! But we already have some recordings up if you just google “Andrea Grinberg Cello”
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I second that! When can we buy a CD of your group playing, Andrea?
Love this site…what you do with tichels is incredible!
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Ah! Please tell me there will be videos taken! Adagio for Strings is my favorite writing music…playing it on repeat has been getting me through my fellowship this year.
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Classical music is the international language. It leads one to emote, to rise to higher heights, to become attentive, to contemplate, to imagine. There is no greater expression of all that is human than music. I have no doubt that during the Creation, an orchestra of angels was playing perfectly heavenly music that echoes in your gifted ears today. Thank you for sharing your talent as well as the very human side of being a musician.
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Wonderful! I’m a Christian headcovering lady, and a trained pianist. I love your wrapping and your photos and the fact you play cello, though I haven’t listened to you yet.
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Yes, I do want to hear more about your music. I like the topic. I admire your talent and that you worked long enough to master an instrument. Many of us play something but do not have the G-d given talent or the time to make it beautiful.
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Beautiful photos too.
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I grew up taking years of piano lessons and love all kinds of music, from classical to foreign/ethnic. High school friends sometimes felt uncomfortable with ‘high brow’ music forms. Funny, though. I hear classical music all the time such as familiar themes in advertising (in the public domain?). Do they realize they hear a full orchestra concert every time they go to a good movie? Fear of ‘classical’ stems from the exclusive society that usually creates those events. Music is for everyone. When I worked in NYC, it was fun to hear the ‘subway musicians’ and buy CDs direct from street artists.
So happy to see the pic of y’all enjoying making a joyful noise. 🙂
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In the Choir room at our church we have a banner that reads “Those who sing pray twice”. I think that sentiment echos throughout the music community. The feeling of wholeness when making music is something “non-music” people often don’t understand. Play on girl!
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You’re such an inspiration Andrea, thank you for your uplifting and positive blog. Keep writing and sharing!
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Would love for yall to make a CD!
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Thank you for sharing your gifts! The world needs more music. It unites us so easily and so beautifully.
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Mazel Tov!
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I’m so excited for you! Will you guys be playing in the New York area any time soon? Would love to see you live!
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Your first large portrait photo is really divine of you…..who took it?
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Yisrael Bethea – Living the Dream Studios
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Yes, yes, yes! I have often been asked by friends how I can “stand” to listen to all that “old music”…old music being what is termed as classical music, in their eyes (or rather, ears).
But I tell you that my idea of heaven is a rainy afternoon at home with a good book (also the old-fashioned kind, as in with pages), a good cup of tea, and a CD softly playing. Something like classical guitar CDs by artists like Turibio Santos, Julian Bream, or Manuel M.Ponce. Or, compilation CDs by the London Symphony Orchestra. Or, beautiful renditions of music from the Elizabethan era by The Extempore String Ensemble. Or, CDs by that young violinist Joshua Bell. Or…well, you get the idea.
I also adore this company called Putumayo, which put out many World Music type CDs that showcase truly brilliant artists from all over the globe.
Truly, I do not think I could “stand” to live in a world without such music.
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“dying art”… I couldn’t help but smile! Anybody who considers this a “dying art”, DEFINITELY don’t know of Andre Rieu’s successes in the music world!
I don’t have his latest statistics (should be easy to find on the internet), but in 2008, this is what the NY Times wrote:
“Pollstar, the organization that keeps track of the concert industry just published their annual ranking of the top 10 worldwide concert tours. The list is topped by Madonna with a gross of US$281.6 mln. The top three is completed by Celine Dion, with a gross revenue of US$236.6 mln and Bon Jovi, with US$176.3 mln.
After almost making the top 10 in the past few years, Rieu debuts at number 8, with a gross revenue of US$76.9 mln. For his 71 shows, Rieu sold 714,617 tickets in 2008. The average of 10,065 tickets is without a doubt the highest a classical artist has ever seen.”
Got that? In 2008, Andre Rieu came in at #8 – US$76.9 million (with an M) and 714’617 tickets sold!
In the year 2008, he sold 27 million CD’s and DVD’s too – for sure not a “dying art”!
We have attended several of his concerts since they are so much fun, light-hearted and a true pleasure to attend!
All the best to you and your hubby Andrea – keep bringing “beauty” to the world through your music as well!
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