Saint-Saens: Sonatas for cello No2; Concertos for cello in Dm
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Steven Isserlis is a splendid cellist with a consummate technique and a focused, intense tone capable of infinite variety. He's an enterprising, imaginative musician with a penchant for centering programs on a single composer or national idiom. He has recorded French sonatas for Virgin Classics, and for RCA, the works of Mendelssohn, John Taverner, Haydn, and Czech and Russian composers. On his latest CD, Isserlis performs four relatively unfamiliar compositions of Saint-Saëns. Unfortunately, obscure works by a good composer are usually neglected for a reason. Indeed, the Second Concerto, Op. 119, and Second Sonata, Op. 123, presented here are inferior to their earlier counterparts in structural cohesion and melodic inspiration, though the Sonata contains an arresting, unusual Scherzo in the form of variations and a devout, dramatic slow movement. There are also two shorter pieces: Romance Op. 67, an appealingly melodious, slow, dreamy, subdued piece, and "La Muse et le Poète," Op. 132, for solo violin and cello with orchestra. An extended tone-poem, almost impressionist in its colorful orchestration, "La Muse" is mostly a rhapsodic dialogue between the two soloists, who unite only in a few climactic moments. Both parts are extremely difficult and continually ascend into the highest register.
Isserlis has chosen his partners wisely. Joshua Bell's brilliant virtuosity and radiant, soaring tone give the music a rapturous, ecstatic expressiveness. In the Sonata, pianist Pascal Devoyon, a specialist in French music who also partners with Isserlis on the French recording, is a marvelous collaborator. Isserlis plays with a combination of austere nobility and romantic ardor that bring out the music's strengths and conceal its weaknesses. --Edith Eisler
Saint-Saens: Sonatas for cello No2; Concertos for cello in Dm, Music, Camille Saint-Saëns, Christoph Eschenbach, Steven Isserlis, Joshua Bell, Pascal Devoyon, NRD-Sinfonieorchester, Cello Concerto, Cello with Keyboard, Chamber, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Horn Sonata, Orchestral & Symphonic, Two String Instruments with Keyboard/Continuo
Average customer rating:
- Little known and interesting
- A Great Recording of Little Know Saint Saens
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Saint-Saens: Sonatas for cello No2; Concertos for cello in Dm
Camille Saint-Saëns , Christoph Eschenbach , Steven Isserlis , Joshua Bell , Pascal Devoyon , and NRD-Sinfonieorchester
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B00004U64W
Release Date: 2001-01-09 |
Tracks:
- Vc Con No.2, Op.119: Allegro Moderato E Maestoso; Andante Sostenuto - Steven Isserlis
- Vc Con No.2, Op.119: Allegro Non Troppo; Cadenza; Tempo I; Molto Allegro - Steven Isserlis
- La Muse Et Le Poete, Op.132 - Steven Isserlis/Joshua Bell
- Romance, Op.67 - Steven Isserlis
- Vc Son No.2, Op.123: Maestoso, Largamente - Steven Isserlis/Pascal Devoyon
- Vc Son No.2, Op.123: Scherzo Con Vars - Steven Isserlis/Pascal Devoyon
- Vc Son No.2, Op.123: Romanza: Poco Adagio - Steven Isserlis/Pascal Devoyon
- Vc Son No.2, Op.123: Allegro Non Troppo, Grazioso - Steven Isserlis/Pascal Devoyon
Amazon.com
Steven Isserlis is a splendid cellist with a consummate technique and a focused, intense tone capable of infinite variety. He's an enterprising, imaginative musician with a penchant for centering programs on a single composer or national idiom. He has recorded French sonatas for Virgin Classics, and for RCA, the works of Mendelssohn, John Taverner, Haydn, and Czech and Russian composers.
On his latest CD, Isserlis performs four relatively unfamiliar compositions of Saint-Saëns. Unfortunately, obscure works by a good composer are usually neglected for a reason. Indeed, the Second Concerto, Op. 119, and Second Sonata, Op. 123, presented here are inferior to their earlier counterparts in structural cohesion and melodic inspiration, though the Sonata contains an arresting, unusual Scherzo in the form of variations and a devout, dramatic slow movement. There are also two shorter pieces: Romance Op. 67, an appealingly melodious, slow, dreamy, subdued piece, and "La Muse et le Poète," Op. 132, for solo violin and cello with orchestra. An extended tone-poem, almost impressionist in its colorful orchestration, "La Muse" is mostly a rhapsodic dialogue between the two soloists, who unite only in a few climactic moments. Both parts are extremely difficult and continually ascend into the highest register.
Isserlis has chosen his partners wisely. Joshua Bell's brilliant virtuosity and radiant, soaring tone give the music a rapturous, ecstatic expressiveness. In the Sonata, pianist Pascal Devoyon, a specialist in French music who also partners with Isserlis on the French recording, is a marvelous collaborator. Isserlis plays with a combination of austere nobility and romantic ardor that bring out the music's strengths and conceal its weaknesses. --Edith Eisler
Customer Reviews:
Little known and interesting.......2007-05-09
I've kicked around classical music for almost 50 years. I did not know these pieces. For me they are new and interesting. The performances are first rate and the recording up to the best modern standards.
Alas, the pieces do not have the intrinsic magnetism of the 1st Cello Concerto. But if you're into something unusual or trying to complete a Saint-Saens collection, you probably won't do better for these little-known and lesser recorded gems of the French master.
A Great Recording of Little Know Saint Saens.......2001-01-31
The works on this disc are not heard very often but is music that is certainly worthy of frequent hearing. This recording of the Second Cello Concerto follows upon an earlier recording of Saint Saens First with the same forces. The second concerto is more lyrical and less dramatic than the first and is cast in two movements. La Muse ET la poete is an interesting work with a dialogue between a violin (played by Joshua Bell) and a cello with orchestra. The romance is an interesting work with cello and horn as solo instruments. Perhaps the most dramatic work is the Cello Sonata, a brilliant work that is quite a showpiece for the cello. Steven Isserlis is wonderful in this recording and Christoph Eschenbach and the North German Radio Symphony ably support him. If you enjoy the music of Saint Saens it is worth exploring these lesser know works.
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