6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome addition to any cello concerti collection, September 21, 2009
This review is from: Carl Davidoff: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
Carl Yulyevich Davidoff (1838--1889) (also spelled Karl Davidov, Davydov, Russian: '''' ''''''' ''''''') was almost exact contemporary of Tchaikovsky. Many cello solos in Tchaikovsky's works were written with Davidov in mind, and perfectly executed by the Maestro, who is often considered to be the founder of Russian cello school.
Do not expect any relation to Tchaikovsky music though. The pieces are light, but without a hint of vulgarity, sounding Bottesinian to me. For those of you who can not survive without a beautiful tune -- this CD will be a great buy.
While the composer gets five stars, the performer gets four. Mr. Wien-Sinn Yang is an experienced musician, although his tone is strained and a little bit sandy. His execution of fast detache passages is on a sloppy side. The intonation is precise. He is quite good at Kantilene of the First Concerto and Andante of the Second. One can only imagine how Davidov, known for his cantilenas, would sound in these slow movements on his Stradivarius now played by marvelous Yo-Yo Ma.
This is certainly a very welcome addition to CPO catalogue. Gentlemen, give us more recordings of rare Russian music, including the other two cello concertos by Davidov!
My advice? Strong buy.
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