From Schubert To Hendrix: Guest DJ Matt Haimovitz

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From coffeehouses to punk clubs, Matt Haimovitz has played his cello in some surprising places. Steph Mackinnon hide caption

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Steph Mackinnon

From coffeehouses to punk clubs, Matt Haimovitz has played his cello in some surprising places.

Steph Mackinnon

These days it's not unusual to find classical musicians performing in unlikely venues — pubs, clubs and out-of-the-way places. But long before this trend took hold there was Matt Haimovitz. Ten years ago, the intrepid cellist lugged his instrument across the country, bringing music by J.S. Bach to barrooms, coffeehouses and even Manhattan's famous punk club CBGB.

Haimovitz was a teenage virtuoso who landed a major-label record deal and dates with leading orchestras before he turned 20. He took a traditional career path, but then made a turn to include explorations into the intersections of classical, jazz and rock music. He also started his own record label.

We invited the adventurous musician to bring a stack of recordings into the studio and talk about why he loves them. Some of Haimovitz's picks — from Schubert to Coltrane to Hendrix — might surprise you.

Guest DJ Matt Haimovitz

Decca

Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, H 125 [1. Allegro ben moderato]

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Cello Sonata: Allegro (excerpt)

• Song: Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, H 125 [1. Allegro ben moderato]
• from Schubert: Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano; Bridge: Sonata for Cello and Piano
• by Mstislav Rostropovich

Capitol

Machine Gun

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Jimi Hendrix: 'Machine Gun' (excerpt)

• Song: Machine Gun
• from Band of Gypsys
• by Jimi Hendrix

Verve

Wild Is the Wind [Live]

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Nina Simone: 'Wild Is the Wind'

• Song: Wild Is the Wind [Live]
• from Wild Is the Wind/High Priestess of Soul
• by Nina Simone

Decca

Frühlingstraum ("Ich träumte von bunten Blumen"), song for voice & piano (Winterreise), D. 911/11 (Op. 89/11)

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Schubert: 'Fruhlingstraum' (from Winterreise)

• Song: Frühlingstraum ("Ich träumte von bunten Blumen"), song for voice & piano (Winterreise), D. 911/11 (Op. 89/11)
• from Schubert: Winterreise
• by Peter Pears

John Coltrane's A Love Supreme. Impulse hide caption

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Impulse

A Love Supreme, Pt. 3: Pursuance/Pt. 4: Psalm

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John Coltrane: A Love Supreme, Pt. 3: 'Pursuance' (excerpt)

• Song: A Love Supreme, Pt. 3: Pursuance/Pt. 4: Psalm
• from A Love Supreme
• by John Coltrane

Oxingale

Alchemy

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Pittsburgh Collective: 'Alchemy'

• Song: Alchemy
• from David Sanford & The Pittsburgh Collective
• by David Sanford & the Pittsburgh Collective