Over The Top Episode #004 with Cellist, Zlatomir Fung

Over The Top with Christopher O’Riley

Takeaways
Zlatimir Fung began playing the cello at a young age and received his formative musical training in the Boston area.
He had influential teachers, including a Suzuki teacher and Emmanuel Feldman, who helped shape his technique and musicality.
Zlatimir emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community in music, which he learned through the Suzuki method.
He believes that music is a language learned through imitation and that the score is an imperfect representation of the composer's idea.
Zlatimir values creating a deep relationship with the music when performing and aims to provide a rich and meaningful experience for the audience.
He has a diverse taste in repertoire and is fascinated by the music of Joseph Marie Clement Ferdinand dell'Abaco. Zlatomir Fung enjoys playing Baroque music, particularly Joseph dell'Abaco's Caprices, which are improvisatory and virtuosic.
He discusses the challenges and motivation of performing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bach's music has shaped Fung's playing and taught him important techniques and skills.
Fung reflects on his most memorable performances and the joy and difficulty of being a musician.
His upcoming debut album features opera paraphrases for cello and piano, including his own arrangement of Janacek's Jänufa.
The conversation concludes with a sneak preview of Fung's performances of Gaspar Cassado's suite for solo cello and Rachmaninoff's cello sonata.
00:00 Introduction and Correction of Personal Information
02:58 Early Upbringing and Musical Training
04:56 Influential Teachers and Role Models
07:55 The Suzuki Method and Collaboration in Music
09:52 Music as a Language Learned Through Imitation
13:10 Creating a Deep Relationship with the Music
15:06 Fascination with Joseph Marie Clement Ferdinand dell'Abaco
21:30 Performing and Finding Motivation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
25:11 The Influence of Bach on Zlatomir Fung's Playing
28:25 Memorable Performances and the Challenges of Being a Musician
30:04 Opera Paraphrases: Zlatomir Fung's Upcoming Debut Album
39:13 Sneak Preview: Gaspar Cassado's Suite and Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata
Video versions of all episodes streaming on YouTube on the channel @ChristopherORiley360
Reach us on our website, christopheroriley.com
Christopher O'Riley's recording of J.S. Bach ~ The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I will be released physically and on all platforms on PARMA's Navona label on July 12.