John Garth: Six Concertos for Violoncello

Richard Tunnicliffe (Artist, Performer), John Garth (Composer), . (Conductor), Avison Ensemble (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Richard Tunnicliffe, Avison Ensemble
• Conductor: .
• Composer: John Garth
• Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Divine Art
• ASIN: B000WC43M2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,447 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #54 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Cello

Editorial Reviews

Review

The performers here cherish every note of the music. This is a very fine achievement. Memorable music, persuasively performed, richly recorded and among the most rewarding releases of the year --International Record Review

Product Description

There are many fine compositions still lying undiscovered, and until recently this was true of the six Cello Concertos by John Garth. This native of Durham in Northern England proves to be a brilliant composer, and these concertos (which are believed to be the earliest examples of the Cello Concerto written in Britain) are surely the equal of those produced by Handel. Played on period instruments by one of Britain's leading baroque-music ensembles.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Garth's warmth vision, September 8, 2010

By 

Sentinel (Essex) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Garth: Six Concertos for Violoncello (Audio CD)

Do you like Correlli, Bach, and cello? Do you enjoy period instruments when they produce a warm, earthy timbre? Do you appreciate musicianship of quality and sensitivity? This is a lovely double cd, with a warm human vision at its centre. Richard Tunnicliffe's cello playing is a mellow, earthy delight, equally matched by the playing of the Avison Ensemble, who generate a rich, bouyant 'sprung rhythmn', which lifts the music effortlessly to another level. This is very well recorded, having an immediacy which would have you believe the musicians are in the room with you. Ideal music for relaxation, for mood enhancement, and with sufficient richness and complexity to reward repeat listening. This is a rich little treasure indeed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, March 17, 2011

By 

Sid Nuncius (London England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Garth: Six Concertos for Violoncello (Audio CD)

I was a bit dubious about this double CD because little-known composers are often little-known for a very good reason, but I tried it because Richard Tunnicliffe and Pavlo Beznosiuk are such excellent musicians and because of the favourable reviews here. I am very glad I did - it is excellent.

I had never heard of John Garth before, but on this evidence he was a very good composer indeed. He was roughly contemporary with Haydn but these cello concertos seem to me still to have a lot common with those of the Baroque, although there are distinct elements of the emerging Classical style. I find them delightful - by turns graceful and elegant, thrilling and gently beautiful, and they are full of melody and excellent harmonic invention. I was extremely pleasantly surprised by how good they were on first hearing, and I have listened to them repeatedly and with great pleasure.

Part of what makes them so enjoyable are the excellent performances. Richard Tunnicliffe excels in this repertoire - he is technically very fine, the sound of his cello is lovely and he shows a great empathy with both Garth's music and his fellow musicians. The Avison Ensemble on this recording consists of just six musicians - one to a part - directed by the excellent Pavlo Beznosiuk. They have a wonderful spring and suppleness which is ideally suited to this music but have plenty of welly when needed. I think it is exemplary playing.

The recorded sound is excellent and the notes are very good (and very readable). I agree with the other reviewers here; this is a terrific recording and very warmly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime, February 26, 2011

By 

Ryan Martin - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Garth: Six Concertos for Violoncello (Audio CD)

This album of six concertos is simply beautiful. You will not regret picking it up. This little-known recording of a little-known Baroque composer is a treasure. You could do much worse than pick up this album.