Truls Mørk, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France & Paavo Järvi - Schumann: Cello Concerto, Op. 129 - Bloch: Schelomo - Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 (2005/2024)

As one of the world's cello stars, Truls Mørk is sure to garner extravagant praise for this CD of Schumann's Concerto in A minor, Bloch's Schelomo, and Bruch's Kol Nidrei, all three essential vehicles for any cello virtuoso. However, there are two weaknesses in his playing that need addressing. First, and most noticeable, Mørk is too loose in his tempi and rhythms, almost to the point of amorphousness. His licentious rubato is most alarming in Schumann's Concerto, which really needs a rigorously shaped solo to hold the piece together; and even though Schelomo is patently more rhapsodic and Kol Nidrei more freely lyrical, Mørk pushes his freedom too far, almost as if his love for producing a gorgeous sound makes him forget the bar lines. Second, Mørk's dynamics frequently drift toward pianissississimo, perhaps to convey profundity of thought or rapt introspection. This may work in concert, where such posturing may pass as subtlety; but on disc, it merely sounds like he is pulling back too much, for no apparent reason. That said, Mørk is still worth hearing for his exceptionally clean technique and his sumptuous timbres, when audible; these qualities make his playing quite pleasant to hear, even with the problems cited above. Virgin's sound quality is decent.