Alexander Rudin - Tchaikovsky: Complete Works for Cello and Orchestra (2011)

Though Tchaikovsky had an obvious penchant for writing astounding melodies for the cello (the soaring 5/4 waltz from the Sixth Symphony, or the brooding opening of the A minor Piano Trio for example), he wrote surprisingly little repertoire for the instrument on its own. No concerto exists; the closest cellists have is the popular and charming Variations on a Rococo Theme. Four other short works -- two of which are transcriptions by the composer himself -- make up the remainder of Tchaikovsky's cello works. This Brilliant Classics disc featuring cellist Alexander Rudin presents Rococo in its uncommon original scoring, which greatly alters the order of variations and, as some listeners may find, interrupts the flow most have come to recognize. Rudin's playing is adequate throughout. His right arm is wonderfully articulate and nimble, but some notes in the more rapid passagework are allowed to slip by slightly out of tune, something that would not be expected from a cellist of Rudin's reputation. His interpretations of Rococo and the four miniatures are very straightforward. Some may find this to be adherence to the score; others may wish Rudin would take more time to savor some of the lush phrasing and memorable melodies that Tchaikovsky provides. To fill up the remainder of the disc, the Ensemble Instrumental Musica Viva (with Rudin as conductor this time) performs the well-known Serenade for strings. Here again, Rudin seems determined to play straight through with little pause for reflection.