Thomas Prechal - Sonata (2021) | Thomas Prechal cello, Jorian van Nee piano

This composition is what I would call a true 'covid-work'. Without the global pandemic and lockdowns, this piece would probably never have been written. Let me explain!

When the full lockdown in the Netherlands started (March 2020), I had – like many others – some extra time on my hands. In addition, I listened to one of my other own compositions quite a bit: the string quintet 'Ephémère' (see link below). In February 2020, I was lucky to have one of my 'last pre-covid' concerts in Paris, where I played this string quintet, which was then also recorded. During the lockdown, I was in close contact with the studio that had made the video recording about special wishes for the footage. So I heard this quintet a few times, which led to the following conclusion: my music could be even more expressive and dramatic! Therefore, I decided to start writing a work, in which I would start searching for more expressive and captivating music: this is how this sonata was born. Hopefully, my 'journey' for more expressive and intense music has had some effect! Please let me know what you think in the comments below :).

It was great to perform this piece several times (including the world premiere) with Jorian van Nee. In addition to his great playing, he made a few valuable suggestions for the piano part. As I am not an experienced pianist, Jorian could show me how I can write more conveniently for piano and what kinds of things work well! Make sure to check out his website: https://jorianvannee.nl/

Thomas Prechal (2004*) - Sonata for cello and piano (2021):
00.10 I. Tempo impetuoso
07.00 II. Largo

Thomas Prechal, cello
Jorian van Nee, piano

I was greatly helped with the camerawork of my talented sister Larissa (check out her YouTube-channel and website: https://wonderfulcreatures.nl/).

If you enjoyed this video, let me know by hitting the like-button! Thanks for listening and I hope to see you again in another video!

Thomas Prechal (30-11-2004) is a cellist and composer. He started playing the cello at the age of five under the tutelage of Lenian Benjamins and is currently taking lessons with Jan-Ype Nota at the Academie Muzikaal Talent in Utrecht, and with Michel Strauss at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. He has participated in masterclasses with Raphael Pidoux, Jerôme Pernoo, Jens-Peter Mainz, Wen-Sinn Yang, Harro Ruijsenaars, Qin Li-Wei and Colin Carr. Together with his string quartet, he has received lessons from members of the Jerusalem, Quiroga and Casals Quartets.

Thomas has won prizes in the ‘Britten’, ‘Archipel’ and ‘Maassluise Muziekweek’ music competitions, and at the 'Gustav Mahler', ‘Edmond Baert’, ‘Bohuš Heran’ and ‘David Popper’ international cello competitions. He has performed as a soloist with several youth and professional orchestras in concertos by Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens and Bruch.

In addition to his cello playing, Thomas likes to improvise and compose music. As a composer, he has won first and second prize at the 'Prinses Christina’ competition. He has written various pieces for cello and piano, etudes and caprices for cello solo, various cello ensemble pieces, various chamber music pieces, a ‘Rhapsody for cello and string orchestra’ (premiered and recorded with the Haydn Youth String Orchestra, and performed with the Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchestr Pforzheim), ‘Symbiosis’ for two celli and string orchestra (premiered with the Stuttgarter Kammerorchestr), ‘Phoenix’ for cello and symphony orchestra (premiered with the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra) and ‘Ephémère for string quintet (premiered at Salle Cortot Paris).

Thomas is currently playing on a cello built by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaum in 1866, on loan from the Dutch Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds.