Barber Cello Concerto. Shostakovich Cello Concerto No.

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Samuel Barber, Dmitri Shostakovich

Label: Chandos

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 59

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CHAN8322

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra Samuel Barber, Composer
English Chamber Orchestra
Geoffrey Simon, Conductor
Raphael Wallfisch, Cello
Samuel Barber, Composer
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 Dmitri Shostakovich, Composer
Dmitri Shostakovich, Composer
English Chamber Orchestra
Geoffrey Simon, Conductor
Raphael Wallfisch, Cello
Neither of these works is otherwise available on CD and both receive vigorous and characterful performances; if your tastes are broad enough to run to both of them the recommendation seems clear.
The CD sound is bright and full of impact, a good match for this reading of the Shostakovich, which features a particularly vociferous player in the important solo horn part. Once or twice one becomes aware in both concertos that the string force used is slightly smaller than it might have been, but the clarity thus achieved helps the elusive and somewhat pallid charm of the Barber concerto. Wallfisch is fully up to the technical demands of both pieces: the virtuoso cadenza and the hell-for-leather finale of the Shostakovich go particularly well. The Barber is affectionately unhurried, which will suit those who like it more than those who don't—and very right and proper, too.'

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