Search - Gyorgy Kurtag, Zoltan Kodaly, Sandor Veress :: Queyras Performs Kodaly, Veress, Kurtag

Impressive recording of cello works by Hungarian composers

Vincent Lau | 03/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new Harmonia Mundi release by Jean-Guihen Queyras, a name previously unknown to me, is quite impressive. In it, the young cellist performs works by Kodaly, Kurtag and Veress with Alexandre Tharaud as his partner in those pieces written for cello and piano. The centrepiece of this album is no doubt Kodaly's Sonata for Solo Cello, Op.8. Not having the benefit of experiencing Janos Starker in this awesome work (which would probably be the top recommendation for many), I found Queyras' playing to be quite remarkable. Not only does he possess a formidable technique, his tone is consistently beautiful and his dynamic control superb. However, his interpretation may prove to be controversial as he makes this gruelling piece not only sound easy but also rather playful and witty. Although I do have some doubts about such an interpretation (I tend to prefer a more anguished and emotionally tortuous rendition), purely from a musical perspective, there are actually much to commend in this performance. And perhaps his in indeed a viable interpretation - I found myself warming to it more and more after each successive hearing, which perhaps attests to the persuasive power of Queyras' slightly idiosyncratic reading. The other pieces in this album (and there're quite a few interesting ones) also receive very fine treatment. Queyras is no less commanding in the Veress's Sonata for Solo Cello and he is able to invest those short pieces of Kurtag with character, sometimes within the spaces of just a few bars. Alexandre Tharaud is an excellent partner to Queyras in Kodaly's Sonatina, which may be the abandoned alternative movement for the 1909 Sonata for Cello and Piano (not featured in this CD), and the two talented musicians conjure up a meltingly tender and yearning Adagio for Cello and Piano as the concluding track for this fine project of cello works by three great Hungarian composers. Given that the recording is warm and atmospheric, this is a very enjoyable CD. I do look forward eagerly to future new releases by Queyras, and also Tharaud."