| Review by raffells January 16, 2009 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  |
This disc has already had hyped opinions as the best Cello concerto by an American etc. Well, I am totally in agreement. It is astonishing and technically also quite virtuostic. Once you have heard this you will realize it is the equal of quite a number of other great cello works and certainly more aproachable than some .
The first thing you will notice is the sonic quality. If this isn’t pure DSD then I would challenge anyone to prove they could tell the difference. Albany are to be congratulated.
The recordings were made at two locations, Bostons Jordan Hall and Nashvilles Clarksville State University Hall. Both venues and recording seem nigh on perfect. The chamber orchestra playing is far better than I expected having heard this orchestra Live once.
The four works each are quite rewarding with one partial exception. The concerto in three parts is a total winner and fairly representative of his style in other works. The 3 Movements approx 20 minutes in length.
Following this a Charles Fussel work "Right River" is a set of variations for cello and string orchestra that takes the virtuosity to new heights (pun intended).After a haunting start it develops into more modern work of just 12 under minutes This is the New England String ensembles contribution to the disc.
Third up is Thomsons delightful Four portraits for cello and piano. Whilst this would easily lend itself for orchestration the individual pieces "Bugles and birds, Tango Lullaby, In a bird cage and Fanfare of France are instantly enjoyable .In total 8 minutes of pure delight.
Then follows less than a couple of minutes of a musical nightmare. Frederic James,Easily skipped and on to Fussels Two Ballades.Each one a modern melodic piece worth having but probably better suited to a separate disc.
Nice booklet and CD case.
Probably my best purchase in a long time.
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