Customer Reviews

The Baroque Album

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First seeing Wang with the Detroit Symphony, I was captivated with his passion for the music and his cello. Learning of his discovery by Stern in China and the subsequent viewing of the video, I wanted more of this young virtuoso.

This work combines two musical areas I particularly love: baroque cello.

What fine compositions by composers introduced to me here: Boccherini, Couperin, Frescobadi and Monn. Much is transposed from works for other instruments, but here ring true and delightful by excellent playing of Wang, admirably backed by the Camerata Salzburg.

Especially stimulating is the Rondo by the Boccherini Concerto in B Flat.

Cello and baroque fans will rave over this sensitive and passionate work.

A couple of years ago I first saw Wang playing cello in Isaac Stern's 1979 award winning documentary "From Mao to Mozart". He was 9 years old then and he had already impressed my by his passion to music. Ever since then, I have been looking for his CD and hoping to hear his new performances as a young musician. Now, this Baroque album has really demonstrated Wang's maturity. He still plays with passion, but more in a sense of caring as soloist.

The combination of Boccherini and Couperin make this CD a real Baroque experience. I also like Monn's Concerto for cello, strings and harpsichord. Wang plays especially well in the second movement.

I purchased this recording four months ago after hearing the Frescobaldi track played on Radio Swiss Classic. And I've been playing it over and over ever since. It's such a treasure. I am a big Yo-Yo Ma fan, but I have say that when it comes to Baroque music, I think I like Jian Wang's playing even more -- just the right restraint that is missing in the contemporary interpretations of so much Baroque music. It's all great, but the Frescobaldi piece is noteworthy.