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Barber: Cello Concerto; Britten: Symphony for Cello and Orchestra
Home > Complete List of "x-z" Artists > Yo-Yo > Item 92
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Barber: Cello Concerto; Britten: Symphony for Cello and Orchestra
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by Yo-Yo Ma, Samuel Barber, Benjamin Britten, and David Zinman
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$11.98
At Amazon
on 9-8-2008.
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This excellent album features a concerto and a symphony, each for cello and orchestra. Samuel Barber's "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, OP.22" is exciting and dramatic; I heard elements of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sheherazade." It's a modern piece, but not as avant-garde as Stravinsky. The lyrical melody is deepened and made more complex by changing tempos, dramatic shifts in volume, and very modern orchestration. Yo Yo Ma is, as usual, excellent. The drama of movement I is offset by the more contemplative and brooding movement II The Britten is equally dramatic, with sporadic bursts of force and more horns. Yo Yo Ma's cello isn't as always discernable against this fury, but when Ma is at the forefront his sound takes precedence, controlling the overall tone and sound of the entire orchestra. Like Barber, the dynamics vary greatly, and thunderous passages abruptly give way to quieter ones involving only a few instruments. Although the Adagio (track 6) begins quietly, some Sturm und Drang enters about 5 minutes into it, with rolling and thunderous drums, and ominous sounding horns. Near the close is a very moving cello solo. The last section (track 7) is lighter and thematic, with horns, soaring violins, and the cello playing counterpoint around a more identifiable motif. It's beautiful and stirring. The two compositions complement each other nicely, and I recommend the album not only for Ma's usual superb playing, but also as a way to explore two 20th century masters. Not for easy listening, but still accessible for those willing to give it a try.
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Barber: Cello Concerto; Britten: Symphony for Cello and Orchestra
Available from Amazon
Price: $11.98
Updated on 9-8-2008.
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