"The second half of the program was devoted to a single work, the Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 by Antonin Dvořák with the German cellist Jan Vogler as soloist. Vogler, who was also making his CityMusic debut, recorded the work in 2004 with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of David Robertson. To prepare for that recording, Vogler went to great lengths to understand the origins of the concerto's themes: were they truly based on Bohemian folk songs or were they inspired by American tunes such as Negro spirituals? Although he reached no definitive conclusions, Vogler said in an interview for this publication “When I finally recorded the piece I felt like I did have a … Continue »

"The evening rose to another level altogether when Vogler arrived to play the greatest cello concerto of them all. Dvorak composed his masterpiece - a ravishing blend of New World and Old World elements – while in residence in the United States in the mid-1890s.Vogler immersed himself in the work’s impassioned narratives, luxuriating in the luscious thematic material and moments of contemplative beauty. When Dvorak calls for forceful declamation and nimble attack, the cellist complied with playing of articulate brilliance. In the slow movement, he gave heightened definition to poetic nuances...."  Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12 October 2011. Read the full article here Continue »

By Donald RosenbergJan Vogler is a virtuoso as cellist, leader of music festivals and accruer of frequent-flier miles.One week, he's in New York spending time with his family and practicing. Another week, he's in Europe, appearing as soloist or taking care of duties in Germany as general director of the Dresden Music Festival and artistic director of the Moritzburg Chamber Music Festival. And this week? The Dresden-born cellist will be in Cleveland playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto around Northeast Ohio with the chamber orchestra CityMusic Cleveland.Vogler, 47, might have made it here sooner if his schedule had allowed. He was invited several years ago by James Gaffigan, former music … Continue »