Julie Albers, Cello

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Robert Schumann (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Gregor Piatigorsky (Composer), Orion Weiss (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Orion Weiss
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov, Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann, Jules Massenet, Gregor Piatigorsky
• Audio CD (October 18, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Artek
• ASIN: B000B6N6E0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,633 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Shining Lights, February 24, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julie Albers, Cello (Audio CD)

The title of this very fine CD is misleading: 'Julie Albers, Cello' is only half of the joy, the other being the exceptionally fine pianist Orion Weiss. Together they offer works for cello and piano that create a terrific union of musicality and communication.

The recital is based on fairly well known works - 'Méditation' from Massenet's 'Thäis', the 'Paganini Variations' courtesy of Gregor Piatigorsky, 'Sonata for cello and piano in G minor by Rachmaninov - but also adds Variations for cello and piano based on Mozart's 'Bei Männern' by Beethoven, and 'Adagio & Allegro for horn (or violin or cello) and piano' by Schumann. The playing is elegant and graceful and lovely.

The real revelation here is the first recorded appearance of the 24-year-old American pianist Orion Weiss. Having just heard him perform Mozart's 19th Piano Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic guest conducted by Cristoph von Dohnanyi as a last minute substitute is the reason for obtaining this CD. Young Weiss is committed artist, able to transform the Mozart into a gossamer interpretation without any of the too frequently encountered histrionics of many of the young pianists before us today. He is intelligent, intensely musical, has a technique that is far beyond his years (he studies with Emmanuel Ax), and promises to be musician's musician destined for a long and fertile career.

While Julie Albers is a fine cellist and the CD is worthy of owning as a recital, this first impression of Orion Weiss is worth the purchase alone. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 06

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, January 16, 2010

By 

B. Hackman "bbhack" (Memphis, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julie Albers, Cello (Audio CD)

@John Machenrik - I couldn't disagree more with this assessment of Orion Weiss's playing. This is a superb recording in all aspects and Weiss is a marvelous accompanist, excelling in all respects.

I found this recording after hearing Albers play the Dvorak concerto in concert. Her playing at that performance and on this recording is passionate without being schmaltzy and technically first rate. Her sound is gorgeous. Weiss is her equal at every turn. The recording itself is excellent. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about recommending this recording or, in fact, hearing either of these fine musicians in performance.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, February 21, 2011

By 

Melissa McCauley (North Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julie Albers, Cello (Audio CD)

I will be the first to admit that I am no expert on musical talent - but to paraphrase Justice Stewart: I know it when I hear it. I bought this CD after seeing Julie Albers perform Elgar's Cello Concerto, and I love every piece on it.