4.0 out of 5 stars
Profoundly musical performances by Isserlis, December 5, 2011
This review is from: John Tavener: The Protecting Veil/Britten: Cello Suite 3 - Steven (Audio CD)
I bought this CD only for Britten's 3rd cello suite to compliment Rostropovich's recording of 1st & 2nd suites. Isserlis' playing is no less captivating. He digs deep into the heart of Britten's music and gives profoundly musical performance of the 3rd suite.
John Tavener's Cello Concerto 'The Protecting Veil' is also played with genuine emotional involvement and deeply expressive tones. As for the music, I just can not appreciate it even after many play-backs. The opening theme tries desperately to develop and meanders through various harmonies and modulations, but inexplicably fails to capture the inspiration and remains where it started after 40 minutes or so.
That lack of inspiration is more acutely felt, in contrast to Britten's amazing ability to weave rich tapestries of music from a simple theme. I'd rather want all three of Britten's unaccompanied cello suites played by Isserlis on one disc than the only one of them sandwiched between Tavener's curiously earth-bound compositions.
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