Customer Reviews

DEBUT - Alisa Weilerstein & Vivian Hornik Weilerstein ~ Works for Cello and Piano

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't know what to say about this truly exhilirating CD featuring the vibrant and sassy Alisa Weilerstein. Obviously though, I cannot forget about her mother Vivian, who was also incredible. I did not think it to be possible to play pieces with such energy and feeling. It seems that nothing can stop her. I nearly cried during the Quiet Woods, sily one of the best pieces on the CD. It was truly fantastic, and I will be first in line for her next record.

SUCH PRESENCE! This is cello playing without apologies. She is always secure in what she is saying whether that is what you wanted to hear or not. She is the real thing. May she go onto continue to create controvery through her playing!

I have been fond of the cello for years. I have enjoyed Casals even though he was somewhate austere. I love Rostropovich's tone and color but have felt that no one has ever played with the passion of Du Pre until I heard Weilerstein on, I believe, NPR when they played an unreleased tape of the Elgar Concerto by Weilerstein. I missed the intro and would have bet the farm that I was listening to Du Pre until the announcement at the end. I immediately ordered this disc and it has me wondering about re-incarnation. Is Du Pre back? This disc is a wonderful sample of the immense talents of this new young artist. I can't wait for Alisa to record the my favorite Elgar for EMI.

It's funny... a young lady of such maturity and emotional depth who actually plays like a young DuPre. She truly gives new meaning to the word "wunderkind". I am quite happy to reccommend this CD to anyone who loves the beauty of the sound of the violoncello. I am pleased to say that also, in person, she is as sweet and charming as one would think. Let's just pray that her future successes will not dampen her passion for music and love for art.

my goodness...who would have thought an 18 year old cellist's debut recital CD could make such a stir. Her magical tone, technical prowress, and incredible energy give these pieces an all new life. They are fresh, appropriately energetic and beautiful, and teeming with the maturity of a late-in-life performer. This girl could be called the hier to throne of musicality that was Jackie DuPre... but no, it goes much beyond that...this is the most natural, most beautiful, most real cellist and musician I have ever heard. Oozing with sentiment, beauty, and power this is a recording one must own!!

as i often do when shopping for music,i purchase based on album/cd cover.
i'm extremely lucky that way,and this time i hit the lottery!big time!from the opening notes i knew my money was well spent.alisas' skill on cello is extraordinary.goshamighty!she is backed on piano by none other than "dear ol' mom"...whose keyboard playing is superb.this debut album has a certain intimacy that is probably due the that mother-daughter re-
lationship. musically,together they are heaven sent.it is one of my very favorite cds.when i listen to it i am transported to a better place in time.her interpretation of "variations on one string on a theme by Rossini
is startlingly lovely.it sets the tone for the rest of the album and does not let up in its brilliance.i was surprised to find that she is only 25 years old.she must have been a teen when she performed this seminal work.
dare i say it, yes...she is sheer genius,with a whole lot of soul.i love her dearly.what a talent!and moms ain't half bad either.they should really play and record more...much,much more.thank you ms. and mrs. weilerstein for giving me so much listening pleasure.god bless you.

You must witness Alisa Weilerstein live. I fell in love with her playing at the Spoleto festival where she played the basso continuo part of a Bach Brandenberg Concerto as if it was the Dvorak Cello Concerto. She has a passion for music that i have not heard or seen. And in her early 20s. Oh my gosh what a performer she will eventually be!

I've been playing the cello for almost 40 years and I agree about the complaints about the vibrato and phrasing: overdone! I also agree with the question about "aristocratic" playing: why all of the exaggeration? Instrument playing should ideally be like that of a vocalist, where one is not limited by one's technical abilities. I doubt that Ms. Weilerstein would sing these phrasese the same way she plays them. There is still time for her to develop, however. If you want to hear more refined playing, listen to Gendron, Rose, Fournier or Rostropovich.

Ignore the negative reviews, Alisa Weilersten is well on her way to being one of the worlds finest cellists. This CD is a must have for any music lover.

not only is pretense debunked in this amazing amazing amazing recording...
but also in the previous U.K. reviewer's rant...
this reviewer thinks the c.d. is lacking in aristocratical and classical means of playing...
i say wonderful...who wants another Isserlis?
must our performers become synonymous in their playing with aristocracy to achieve success?
i think not...
i think what happens here, on this recording, is transcendental... she touches upon the most profound and raw emotions when neccessary and flips you on your ear, all in an appropriate manner.
i think to not apprecciate this recording as what it is, the portrait of a genius as a young artist, would be pure asininity...
ha! and i've managed to use more big words, then our friend, the ever-so-conservative-most-likely-deaf UK reviewer