Arturo Muruzabal - Röntgen: Complete Cello Concertos (2007) CD-Rip

Despite his close associations with the likes of Brahms, Casals, and Grieg (and in some respects, because of them), the works of Julius Röntgen have had some difficulty gaining popularity outside of his adoptive homeland of the Netherlands. Like Brahms, Röntgen was a conservative composer and though his output was vast, he never truly succeeded in creating his own unique, identifiable musical sound. He was also often criticized for failing to polish or refine his completed compositions. Nevertheless, his compositions -- and in particular his three cello concertos heard here -- are replete with the best and most enjoyable qualities of German Romanticism. Composed over the course of more than 30 years, the three concertos offer a pleasing blend of virtuoso fireworks with simple, almost folk-like melodies. All three concertos are performed by Spanish-born cellist Arturo Muruzabal who, like Röntgen, eventually made the Netherlands his home. Muruzabal's playing is solid and reliable both technically and musically. The orchestral accompaniments offered by the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic and Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra are equally consistent, though neither soloist nor orchestra do much to truly wow their listeners. Still, fans of Romantic cello concertos will certainly welcome these new additions to their collections.