Elgar & Carter – Cello Concertos – Alisa Weilerstein, Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim (2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/48 kHz | Time – 1:02:23 minutes | 631 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | Front Cover | © Decca Records
Recorded: September 2012, Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
Alisa Weilerstein makes one of Decca’s most exciting debuts in recent years. The renowned cellist is joined by Decca fan-favorite Daniel Barenboim. Alisa Weilerstein is the first cellist in many years to play the Elgar Concerto with Daniel Barenboim, and his decision to record it with her is a major statement. Her technique has earned her international recognition.
“Their interpretation is one of poise, heft and ardor, the soloist’s superb control keenly matched by the conductor’s insightful support.” – New York Times
Making her debut on Decca, Alisa Weilerstein presents three major works of the cello repertoire with Daniel Barenboim leading the Staatskapelle Berlin. The star vehicle, naturally, is Edward Elgar’s Concerto in E minor, which Weilerstein plays with commanding presence, rich tone, and emotional depth. Most listeners will be drawn primarily to this performance because of the piece’s familiarity, and Weilerstein’s charisma and passionate playing make it the album’s main attraction. Yet listeners should give Weilerstein and Barenboim credit for following the Elgar with an important if not instantly recognizable or approachable modernist work, Elliott Carter’s powerful Cello Concerto. Weilerstein is quite bold to play this intensely dramatic and angular composition, and while it’s unlikely to appeal to the majority of fans who adore the Elgar, it deserves its place on the program for its seriousness and extraordinary displays of solo and orchestral writing. To close, Weilerstein plays Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, a Romantic work that returns the program to a mellow and melancholy mood and brings the CD to a satisfying close. Decca’s reproduction is excellent, putting Weilerstein front and center with full resonance, but not leaving the vibrant accompaniment of the orchestra too far behind her. ~~AllMusic Review by Blair Sanderson
Tracklist:
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In E Minor, Op. 85
1 Adagio – Moderato 7:48
2 Lento – Allegro Molto 4:26
3 Adagio 5:08
4 Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, Ma Non Troppo – Poco Più Lento – Adagio 11:55
Elliott Carter (1908-2012)
Cello Concerto
5 Drammatico – 1:40
6 Allegro Appassionato – 2:43
7 Giocoso – 3:11
8 Lento – 3:40
9 Maestoso – 3:04
10 Tranquillo – 4:11
11 Allegro Fantastico 3:48
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
12 Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 10:49
Personnel:
Alisa Weilerstein, cello
Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, conductor
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