Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Cellist Leland Ko shares the impact his teachers have had on him on his journey to becoming the musician he is today. Ko demonstrates his musical talent on a Pietro Guarneri of Venice cello from the early 18th century with two pieces that speak to him both thematically and personally.
This episode is part of TAKING NOTE, a digital series spotlighting rising instrumental artists who have received Career Grant Awards from the Avery Fisher Artist Program. Each year, the Program awards up to five grants of $25,000 to instrumentalists and chamber ensembles in support of their emerging careers.
0:00 TAKING NOTE
0:26 Getting the call…
1:33 Pietro Guarneri of Venice cello
3:18 Princeton studies
4:49 Bright Sheng’s “Tibetan Dance” from “Seven Tunes Heard in China”
7:31 Antonín Dvořák’s “Silent Woods”
10:03 Simon Rattle’s advice
Please like & subscribe now if you enjoyed: youtube.com/channel/UCZri-Y6aBcTFrxYMF_ghXQA
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support your local PBS station: pbs.org/donate
Watch full episodes and more: pbs.org/greatperformances
Instagram: instagram.com/pbsgreatperformances
Facebook: facebook.com/greatperformances
Newsletter: pbs.org/wnet/gperf/newsletter
#GreatPerformancesPBS
-----------------
The only continuing primetime performance showcase on American television, Great Performances presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries. With its programs garnering 67 Emmy Awards and six George Foster Peabody Awards, the series has received every major television honor.
Regardless of geographic or economic limitations, Great Performances ensures its audiences “the best seats in the house” with a roster of artists and performing arts companies that represent a “Who’s Who” of excellence and virtuosity in the international performing arts.
Cellist Leland Ko shares the impact his teachers have had on him on his journey to becoming the musician he is today. Ko demonstrates his musical talent on a Pietro Guarneri of Venice cello from the early 18th century with two pieces that speak to him both thematically and personally.
This episode is part of TAKING NOTE, a digital series spotlighting rising instrumental artists who have received Career Grant Awards from the Avery Fisher Artist Program. Each year, the Program awards up to five grants of $25,000 to instrumentalists and chamber ensembles in support of their emerging careers.
0:00 TAKING NOTE
0:26 Getting the call…
1:33 Pietro Guarneri of Venice cello
3:18 Princeton studies
4:49 Bright Sheng’s “Tibetan Dance” from “Seven Tunes Heard in China”
7:31 Antonín Dvořák’s “Silent Woods”
10:03 Simon Rattle’s advice
Please like & subscribe now if you enjoyed: youtube.com/channel/UCZri-Y6aBcTFrxYMF_ghXQA
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support your local PBS station: pbs.org/donate
Watch full episodes and more: pbs.org/greatperformances
Instagram: instagram.com/pbsgreatperformances
Facebook: facebook.com/greatperformances
Newsletter: pbs.org/wnet/gperf/newsletter
#GreatPerformancesPBS
-----------------
The only continuing primetime performance showcase on American television, Great Performances presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries. With its programs garnering 67 Emmy Awards and six George Foster Peabody Awards, the series has received every major television honor.
Regardless of geographic or economic limitations, Great Performances ensures its audiences “the best seats in the house” with a roster of artists and performing arts companies that represent a “Who’s Who” of excellence and virtuosity in the international performing arts.
