Shostakovich Prelude for Cello and Viola | Nathan Chan and Michael Casimir

A picture is worth a thousand words, but music is worth a thousand emotions. We were so moved by these words in direct response to recent acts of violence, terrorism and social injustice written by Michael Fernando (Instagram @moveitlikef3rny) that we wanted to honor it with this video. His words so precisely capture the role music plays in our humanity.
We hope you enjoy Shostakovich's Prelude for Two Violins arranged for Cello and Viola.
Produced and performed by Nathan Chan and Michael Casimir.
Special thanks to Michael Fernando, Mina Kim and Maddie Tucker for making this project possible.
"To watch the human body be destroyed is to be made aware of the fragility of our anatomies; that blood is composed of not only the chemical elements of life, but also the collective knowledge and labor of entire families; and also, that the vessel can be cleaved and its contents returned to the soil.
It also fills us with otherworldly rage. Rage that thrives on our pettiness, on generalization, on suppressing the diversity of possible questions, and on deference to hurried answers. We thrash and grope around blindly for justice, for freedoms that we, so disillusioned, are uncertain even exist.
But of course there are different kinds of freedom. And so as many of us huddle around the warmth of music in times of tragedy, it is important for us to also recognize the real-life, functional value of our musicianship: the learned freedom of choice. To choose to remain disciplined and mindful. To choose the sound of the band over the sound of our instrument. To choose to do the difficult but necessary work of continuing to listen to our peers through passages of both harmony and dissonance.
Everything can be taken from us but this most important of human freedoms, and it is for that reason that we must never relent in its exercise."
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[@ehalverson9323]

There should be more duets with viola and cello. Both instruments are haunting and beautiful.

[@josequins9099]

I see in the comments that this piece was originally for 2 violins and a piano but on hearing it for the first time it seems like it was written especially for viola and cello . Such a gorgeous piece and beautifully played.

[@cristhian4545]

It is really beautiful, but without the piano it sounds incomplete

[@keithwms]

Though originally written for two violins and piano, the deeper voices really work well with this piece. I have long admired it in the version for two cellos and piano, but the viola is so effective in this quasi-duet. Excellent work! And beautiful words as well. But somewhere, a pianist sulks...!

[@nathanchancello]

Thank you for your kind words! I think the sonority works quite well.

[@dohyunlee193]

keith I strongly agree. it's just magic

[@yasmink1700]

Where can I find the score of this?

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

Me too!

[@marceloclodomirozavalia239]

How nice sounds this melancholic piece; great perfomance!

[@gustavobasulto6759]

The lament of the Viola solo towards the end ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kkeefenj]

Beautiful music with an excellent message! Bravo!

[@gretchenfrazier2691]

Thank you for posting this. Viola and cello really give a great voice to the piece and the quote.

[@lucycorcoran8847]

I'm so excited to play this song! It sounds really good, I play the viola and I adore the sounds the cello and Viola make! Keep up the great work!

[@Carmen.hanh.do.66]

I’m moved… I hope this could be played at my funeral… there are moments where the cello and viola slowly part from each other… it felt like how my soul would leave this earth to come to face God

[@mch12311969]

Beautifully moving. Thank you

[@dianalopez3156]

It's sublime, simply beautiful.

[@BytomGirl]

I love this beautiful, melancholy piece, part of 5 pieces for piano, cello and viola

[@DrEsky914]

Wow, powerful voices, written and musical. Thanks for this. I am playing this piece with a fellow cellist. Gorgeous.

[@jamestheevisionary]

Just beautiful, I hope to advance in my orchestral studies. Such passion and such a strong message conveyed through music.

[@anajuliaferreira9641]

Perfect! You're amazing, congratulations 👏🏼😍

[@daliablackman7374]

Beautifully played. Thank you.

[@SonjaBeets]

thank you, very well done, bravo!

[@josuealbertpittacastillo1694]

I love that wonderful

[@catalinabalboa5394]

Beautiful.

[@claudiocanonica4842]

Wundervoll gespielt. 2 Menschen sind sichtbar, 3 hörbar!

[@doreenthorne1462]

BEAUTIFUL !

[@beae3946]

Just...woah

[@foodie3620]

NATHAN CHAN I LOVE YOU ME AND MY FRIEND PERFORMED THIS LIKE THREE YEARS BACK IN FRONT OF OUR BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION I STILL LISTEN TO THIS TO THIS DAY

[@Hehekiki307]

I love this^^ one day i wish to make videos as beautiful as this is

[@chicojcf]

very nicely done, TY.

[@tylerchen618]

Beautiful

[@flamez9020]

love the garment designs

[@BigParadox]

Wonderful music.

[@valeriagutierrez3006]

Awesome video!!!!

[@keremkandemir7833]

The music by itself is so complete, maybe it's best to listen to it "eyes wide shot".

[@fernando2135]

amazing!

[@PTMViola]

Bravo! 👍👋👋👋👋

[@em-nz8vv]

This is so pretty!

[@zekemorgancomposer2010]

I wasn't even reading the words, I just love this arrangement

[@worldspottingexhibit]

Amazing

[@jaragato]

PRECIOSO

[@ProFriend]

I agree with the premise 1000000%

[@calebsanchez5651]

Remember the freedom of choice... Thank you for this video. =)

[@danielaoyarzo6349]

nathan chan are one of the most good cellist and seen i love you as you play and look forward to each and all your vídeos😍😍😍(pd: si mi traducción esta mal perdón pero soy de Chile :) eres demasiado Cool nathan chan demasiado genial)

[@donnewmeyer3133]

This has to be more than a duet, because the two here are playing arco, but you also hear pizzicato.

[@NeraNotes]

This is stunning, where can I find the arrangement?

[@spiraldeath9171]

Musescore

[@ikoikjji5548]

This was such a cool piece! It was cool that the cello played the higher line

[@ctku4388]

太美了....!!

[@annazorka8317]

i really really would like to play this version. where could i get your arrangement?

[@bensolomon5064]

How much money do you spend to make sounds that flawless. I probably dont have it

[@orcababy5477]

Thank you. Is the arrangement available for purchase?

[@cindyraine8313]

gorgeous ! i'm looking for viola and cello duets and would terribly enjoy playing this... can you give me a link as to where to find the score please ?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@felicitycliffemusician9057]

My duo would love to play this - sounds beautiful! Where did you get the sheet music from?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@nataliariveragomez-cellist7294]

Someone has this sheet for 2 cellos and piano_

[@annakierdorf9157]

This is so beautiful and it inspired my friend and me to play it as well on viola and cello. It turned out so well, so thank you so much for playing it in the first place! Do you have other ideas what to play in this combination and is not Beethoven's duo in e-flat? :D

[@lilyetareri1719]

Anna Kierdorf hi where did u get the sheet music for the piece

[@hypatiamagyar1393]

@@lilyetareri1719 musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011 here's my arrangement it's simple but yeah

[@meladejesus]

This is phenomenal! Who is the arranger? (Also, I hear pizzicato accompaniment; was that prerecorded?) Is the arrangement available for purchase?

[@betaniajarajroa9692]

bonito

[@katie4623]

This version without the pounding piano is so much better I think.

[@avedisdakesian7763]

How can I have this pdf transposed for viola and cello?

[@hypatiamagyar1393]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@ingridgracielly4105]

Could you tell me the link to the sheet music for this song?

[@hypatiamagyar1393]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@gatozarin]

I wish I could see the pizzicato

[@MiloCarrete]

Perfect combination, no high notes :)

[@jonesparg]

Is it possible to obtain/purchase the music for this? My daughter (viola) and son (cello) would play it for her senior recital. Many thanks.

[@rasmiatripeira]

I would also love to have the scores if possible. Wonderful music and version. Congrats Nathan and Michael. @nathanchan

[@tubetonka]

I would like the transcribed score as well, for my two daughters on viola and cello.

[@martinjanjavornik159]

I have the sheets

[@elizabethhall-keough6476]

@@martinjanjavornik159 Can I have them!!?? Please contact me.

[@syonlee8514]

Quartz CAN I PLZ HAVE THEN

[@jair.griffin]

Can someone please tell me where I can get the sheet music for this arrangement?

[@mariadanielavega9623]

did you get the music sheet? Can you send me that?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@meta5175]

I want to ask about that too

[@christianwagenseil9621]

where do the pizzicato notes come from? were they dubbed?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

I'm pretty sure its a backing track. Sometimes the music doesn't match up with the visulas, so it probably is dubbed, but I'm sure they created the recording themselves.

[@christianwagenseil9621]

Ludwig Amadeus Bach thanks!

[@scottwhitefield834]

Is the arrangement available to purchase?

[@nashi2069]

Where can I buy this music sheet. Especially for viola and cello.

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@angeljia5667]

Do you know where I can find this sheet music?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@dorothypaddon3225]

There's a third instrument in the background, another cello ? Playing the bass line of the piano version ? Was hoping to play this as a duet (music from Muscore), but the effect will not be the same as in the video - seems we may have to rope in a pianist after all.

sounds amazing! :) of course, as a cellist, I prefer the version for two cellos ;P

[@cliffhughes6010]

There is a second cello offstage playing pizz.

[@jadewight448]

Anyone know who is being quoted in the text?

[@Re-ii4gb]

Do you have the sheet music for Viola and cello?

[@AlfonsoCastaneda12]

I would also like to know if there is any way of getting a hold of this arrangement. Great playing btw!

[@keithwms]

It's easy to generate from this... new.vk.com/doc-1687225_336524093?dl=8ef93036fb7ef985b3

[@hypatiamagyar1393]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@hypatiamagyar1393]

It's a simple arrangement but you can arrange further from what Keith Williams linked

[@elizabethgrunin5121]

Is there a way to purchase the arrangement?

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@tatianatrono8489]

TANGLEWOOD :)

[@Nowlookatthestars]

Are you selling this the sheet music for this? :)

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@melissapizolti1920]

Muy lindo pero me gusta más cuando tienes sintonía con Drew forde

[@Joel5.9]

What prelude is this??

[@keithwms]

It's from a set of five pieces by Shostakovich for two violins and piano. Alas there is no opus number in the versions I have, which makes it a bit hard to track down.

[@Joel5.9]

+Keith Williams thank you!

[@ELLENIKA12111]

This I think originally appeared in his film score for the Gadfly. My youth orchestra played it last year.

[@vickymadaule1286]

Who's playing the pizz?

[@nathanchancello]

+Vicky Madaule We are!

[@vickymadaule1286]

So did you record it separately? The reason I asked was it seemed as if their were 3 parts. Maybe I need to look at the music. Beautiful in any case.

[@nathanchancello]

+Vicky Madaule Yes we recorded the accompanying parts separately and brought them together using Logic Pro X. Thanks for your support!

[@vickymadaule1286]

You're very welcome but it's we who offer the thanks. I suppose we could play this arrangement (amateur musician group) adding a few more people. Do you ever share your arrangements?

[@bitangaproductions]

What is the name of this song? Thank you! Also is there sheet music available online?

[@dianalopez3156]

rafael bitanga It's the first piece of a set of five pieces for two violins and piano and if it's online.

[@ludwigamadeusbach8363]

musescore.com/user/18527676/scores/6083011

[@dsthorp]

Not a duo, rather a trio.

[@ligetisspaghetti5763]

You kind of look like shostakovich with the glasses and the hair.

[@bryantchan6168]

first

[@TimothyZhou0]

Misleading; not arranged for just one viola and cello. Sometimes I hear four distinct voices.

[@richardhowell3898]

Great performance. Would have been 1000% better without the philosophy getting in the way.

[@MrAkifusion]

Lame.

[@andrewwilliams2193]

Beautiful.