Pieter Wispelwey, Flanders Symphony Orchestra & Seikyo Kim - Lalo: Cello Concerto - Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 2 (2013) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. Cello Concerto in D Minor I. Prelude Lento - Allegro maestoso - Tempo I
02. Cello Concerto in D Minor II. Intermezzo Andantino con moto - Allegro presto - Andantino (Tempo I) - Allegro presto
03. Cello Concerto in D Minor III. Finale Andante - Allegro vivace
04. Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17 Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17 Scene d'amour
05. Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119 I. Allegro moderato e maestoso
06. Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119 Andante sostenuto
07. Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119 II. Allegro non troppo


After their highly acclaimed recording of Britten's Cello Symphony, Pieter Wispelwey and the Flanders Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seikyo Kim turn to two romantic cello concertos whose neglect is hard to fathom. Edouard Lalo penned a variety of large scale orchestral works, including the famous Symphonie espagnole for violin, a piano concerto, and the Cello Concerto heard here. A strong work in the Germanic tradition, its comparative neglect in the concert hall is difficult to understand. The second Cello Concerto by Camille Saint-Saens, written in 1902, is totally overshadowed by his impressive and dazzling first concerto dating from 1872. The later work has all of the composer's flair for style, elegance and is possibly more challenging for the soloist than its A minor sibling.

“as Wispelwey's performance shows, [the Saint-Saëns is] a fine piece in its own right, though with more of a sentimental heart than his playing brings out. He's more in his element in the rugged solo writing in the Lalo, which opens in the most sombre D minor...but then gradually reveals a more relaxed, good-humoured side.” (The Guardian)

“It says much for the Saint-Saens concerto that it stands up well to such inspired competition.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“I am charmed by Wispelwey’s playing in the Lalo, I am bowled over by this performance of Saint-Saens asks of him, the multiple-stopping, the passages at the very top of the cello’s range, and so on- Wispelwey’s tone remains centered and mellifluous. Furthermore, he is an intelligent, stylish musician who makes the music interesting.” (International Record Review)

“[the Lalo] is an underrated piece and the performance given here is extremely fine...Wispelwey is in great form, ably supported by the orchestra and Seikyo Kim...The cello is recorded with clarity and possesses a slight cutting edge...The solo playing is immaculate.” (MusicWeb International)

Peter Wispelwey, cello
Flanders Symphony Orchestra
Seiko Kim, conductor

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