Zuill Bailey - Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante (2016)

World-renowned cellist Zuill Bailey has been called One of the finest cellists alive today. (Classical Net) This is Baileys third release on the Steinway label. For this programme, he has chosen two of Sergei Prokofievs mature and majestic works. The Sinfonia Concertante is one of the most difficult and exciting works for cello and orchestra. The piece premiered on February 18, 1952, and was dedicated to Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Pairing with the Sinfonia Concertante is the Cello Sonata. This lyrical work was also composed for Mstislav Rostropovich, and was written after much of Prokofievs music had been banned and the composer did not know if the work would ever be performed in public. Zuill Bailey performs here with pianist Natasha Peremski and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Grant Llewellyn.