Search - Samuel Barber, Dmitry Shostakovich, Geoffrey Simon :: Barber: Cello Concerto; Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1

Solid performance, OK sound

D. B. Rathbun | Washington, DC United States | 12/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The English Chamber Orchestra plays both of these pieces with force and precision. The strings are as tight as in any performance you will ever hear, and the winds are musical and bright. The Barber is deep and nuanced, while the Shostakovich is played with aggression and irony. It would be surprising that any recording currently available has better orchestral playing on it. Wallfisch's cello playing is also exemplary, very musical and very precise. Fans of Maisky or Ma may find he has softer attacks and a "duller" sound, but he is certainly less harsh and his sound rounder and more melodious.The only drawback to this recording is the sound quality. The engineers record a little far back, so while they capture the ambience of the hall, the result is that the orchestra is a little distance and has lost its edge, while the cello is too far in the forefront and out of balance, tho more in character than volume. The horn in particular echoes more than my taste would dictate.Surprisingly, after over 20 years, this high quality digital recording still surpasses more recent ones."