WATCH: Ilya Finkelshteyn featured in latest episode of Showcase with Barbara Kellar

CET Cincinnati Public Television's arts and culture series Showcase with Barbara Kellar recently featured Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist and CCM faculty member Ilya Finkelshteyn. In the episode, Finkelshteyn discusses the newly obtained Montagnana Cello and gives a solo performance. 

The cello was crafted in 1730 by master luthier Domenico Montagnana in Venice, Italy, and the CSO has traced it's journey throughout the years. It was played by famous Italian cellist Carlo Alfredo Piatti (1822-1901) and by renowned British cellist May Mukle (1880-1963). Finkelshteyn has a postcard of Mukle with the cello, and there are other photos of her playing the instrument all over the world. The cello then traveled to the New York Philharmonic and the Minnesota Orchestra before making its way to Finkelshteyn and the CSO. 

Learn more about the Montagnana cello and enjoy a solo performance by Finkelshteyn in the latest episode of Showcase with Barbara Kellar.

The study of violoncello at CCM is strongly performance based. The cornerstone of all degree programs is private lessons with faculty, who serve as mentors for students and direct their individual musical, performing and teaching growth. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the well-rounded, holistic musician by providing a solid background in music history and theory as well as areas specific to each musical medium. Undergraduate students enjoy a close collaboration with the University of Cincinnati through a general education core that supplements their education with academic course work while graduate students specialize more precisely in their chosen field.

Featured image at the top: Ilya Finkelshteyn and Barbara Kellar during the "Showcase" episoide on CET.