Oeuvre: Chant du Ménéstrel, Op.71

An evening of Adagio cello concertante works in Auckland was enlivened by a stirring Beethoven Fifth. 

For whatever reason, performers have always seemed to fear the fourth wall. They are content to let their music speak for itself, and any attempt to address the audience verbally is often considered lowbrow. This makes sense in some regards, as it facilitates the image of performer as master and lends artistic integrity to the music.