Ensemble Villa Musica - Schumann: Chamber Music, Vol. 2 (2011)

1849 was a banner year for chamber music output for Robert Schumann. He wrote feverishly, often completing entire compositions in a matter of days with no appreciable loss of quality. Among the instruments to benefit from this frenzy was the cello, which still suffered from a dearth of repertoire. The only original work Schumann penned for cello and piano was the Op. 102 Five Pieces in Folk Style. As was common for the day, Schumann also listed the cello as an "alternate" instrument in both the Op. 70 Adagio and Allegro (originally for horn) and the Op. 73 Fantasiestücke (originally for violin). Two years later, the Op. 113 Märchenbilder for viola and piano emerged and although Schumann did not officially sanction the substitution of the cello, several versions have since emerged including the present arrangement by cellist Martin Ostertag. Finally, Schumann also composed accompaniments to Bach's suites for solo cello as a way to "help" listeners better understand the underlying harmonic progressions of the suites. While some purists may consider such meddling anathema, Schumann proceeded out of complete reverence for Bach's works.
Performing on this MDG Gold disc alongside Ostertag is pianist Kalle Randalu. Both artists play with sublime enthusiasm and vigor throughout the disc. The only exception is to be found in the accompanied Bach Third Suite, which is very rigidly played without the customary rubato. Ostertag's playing is technically clean with polished intonation, crisp articulation, tight vibrato, and a fluid right arm. His sound, however, is not especially big or powerful. This has the unfortunate effect of sometimes burying him behind the more dominant piano.