Nicolas Altstaedt - Schumann: Cello Concerto, Op. 129 - Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations - F. Gulda: Cello Concerto (2009)

Like violinists Alexandra Soumm and Liviu Prunaru; baritone Herman Wallén; harpist Emmanuel Ceysson and pianist Joseph Moog in preceding years; French-German cellist Nicolas Altstaedt has been selected from a group of young soloists at the festival Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad 2008 to make a recording with orchestra financed by the manifestation’s principal partner; the Edmond de Rothschild Private Bank.

A student of Boris Pergamenchikov (Altstaedt was one of the last to profit from his mastery); the artist of 27 years already is active internationally – notably; he is one of the very few European musicians to have been selected by the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society in New York to perform in its concert series and tours. He has chosen two virtuoso works from the 19th century (Schumann’s Cello Concerto and Tchaikowsky’s Rococo Variations) as well as Friedrich Gulda’s fascinating Concerto for Cello and Wind Band for his first recording with orchestra.

This is a very promising calling card; made hand in hand with conductor Alexander Joel and the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz. It is likewise a beautiful homage to the founder of Claves Records; Marguerite Dütschler-Huber; who initiated this undertaking; and which since her passing in June 2006 has been christened the “Marguerite Dütschler Prize”.