Schwetzinger Festspiele 2009: Benedict Kloeckner Rising Star

Benedict Kloeckner is the name of a cellist who, performing in the series “Rising Stars” of the Festival Schwetzinger Festspiele, attracted strongly attention. Why? The young man, born in 1989 commands a beautiful, slender sound that does not show any sign of the dreaded “cello fat”.

Smartness and intimate melody characterize him when performing Mendelssohn. With tender warmness he alerted to pieces like the two aptations of „Suleika“ and „Auf Flügeln des Gesanges“ and th “Songs without words” respired an enchanted sentiment.

Benedit Kloeckner has been accompanied by José Gallardo, a confidently dedicated musician with a sophisticated keystroke. Their well balanced interaction emphasized the great Sonate in D Major (op.58) in which Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy composed with brisk pulsation. For both artists an opportunity to spoil the audience with a light-hearted atmosphere of departure. Of course the virtuosity did not miss out. Movement two and three went through with a friendly mimic. The enthusiastic audience was pampered with encores:  "Elfentanz" by David Popper as masterstroke of lissome cello art and again with emotion “Lied ohne Worte”.

(Mannheimer Morgen, 26.05.09 )

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