Narek Hakhnazaryan, Wiener Symphoniker, Tigran Hakhnazaryan - Chant du ménestrel (2025) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. 14 Romances, Op. 34: No. 14, Vocalise (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
02. 6 Pieces, Op. 19, TH 133: No. 4, Nocturne (Version for Cello & Orchestra)
03. Pezzo capriccioso, Op. 62, TH 62
04. Chant du ménestrel, Op. 71
05. Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, TH 57
06. Suite for Viola & Orchestra Well Tempered Chanson: XII. Lament (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
07. Suite No. 3 for Piano & Orchestra Childhood Memories: VIII. Melancholy (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
08. Violin Concerto No. 1 Seascapes: II. Lonely Sail (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
09. Impromptu for Cello & Piano (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
10. Nocturne for Cello & Piano (Arr. for Cello & Orchestra by Anonymous)
For this album, Narek Hakhnazaryan has selected works that showcase the characteristics of cello playing: its tonal warmth, emotional depth and versatility. The interplay of original works and arrangements has resulted in a program that sees the cello as a unifying voice - inspired by the figure of the medieval minstrel in Glasunov's Chant du ménestrel op. 71.

Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan was 29 years old when he recorded this largely cantabile program together with his brother Tigran and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in 2018. The program includes well-known pieces such as Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo capriccioso, Glazunov’s Chant du ménestrel, and lesser-known works such as the three very lyrical pieces by Aleksey Shor.

In his Rococo Variations, Tchaikovsky served up plenty of sweetness and rococo. Narek Hakhnazaryan adds icing on the cake to further enhance the Rococo character and emphasize the sentimentality. The eighth and final variation is highly virtuosic.

The cello sound is dominant and warm, with the orchestra positioned centrally in the depth of the soundscape. The overall sound is slightly muffled. (Remy Franck, pizzicato.lu)

Narek Hakhnazaryan, cello
Wiener Symphoniker
Tigran Hakhnazaryan, conductor

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