Search - David Popper, Paul Joseph Guillaume Hillemacher, Edward MacDowell :: Encores and Transcriptions, Vol. 1

A Must-Have for Cello Lovers

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 05/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pablo Casals (1876-1973) is generally credited with having invented modern cello technique; further, he was easily the most famous solo cellist of the first half of the 20th century, with good reason. He had everything including flawless technique, impeccable musicianship, and a magnetic personality. His subtly varied vibrato, razor sharp attacks and intonation, musicianly phrasing and rhythmic verve make him instantly recognizable. This CD is the first of two scheduled by Naxos to present encores and transcriptions; all on this disc date from the very earliest period of electrical recordings, those using an electrical microphone rather than the old recording horn technique. Made in the US for Victor and His Master's Voice, they are presented here in the order in which they were recorded, the first from within weeks after the electrical technique began being used in early 1925, a performance of the famous Hungarian cellist/composer David Popper's infectious 'Chanson villageois.' Since Amazon has not listed the CD's contents I will do so:Hillemacher: Gavotte tendre
MacDowell: Romance, Op. 35
Debussy: Menuet, from the Petite Suite
Schubert: Moment musical, Op. 94
Schumann: Träumerei
Schumann: Abendlied, Op. 85, No. 12 (from a piano duet, not the famous song of the same name)
Fauré: Après un rêve
Wagner: Evening Star, from Tannhäuser
Wagner: Prize Song, from Die Meistersinger
Chopin: 'Raindrop' Prélude, Op. 28, No. 15
Chopin: Nocturne in E flat, Op. 9, No. 2
Godard: Berceuse, from Jocelyn
A. Rubinstein: Melody in F
Bach: Adagio, from Toccata in C major, BWV 564
Granados: Intermezzo, from Goyescas
Popper: Vito (Spanish Dance, Op. 54, No. 5)
Saint-Saëns: The Swan, from Carnival of the Animals
Bruch: Kol NidreiAll are accompanied by Nikolai Mednikoff, piano, except the first band which is with Edouard Gendron, piano.This disc is, of course, self-recommending to anyone who is interested in this marvelous cellist and this repertoire. The sound, restored from 78s by the formidably talented Mark Obert-Thorn, is spectacularly good. There is very little surface noise except on the very first, and oldest, recording.Highly recommended.Reviewed by Scott Morrison"