Customer Reviews

Nina Kotova-Cello Concerto

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is fantastic! Kotova performs this serious music (Bloch and Bruch) with such pathos, it moved me to tears. Her tone and technicality are untouchable.

And, Kotova's own Concerto is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world's cello repertoire -- as a cellist, I've always found that finding new and interesting cello music is difficult. Kotova's cello concerto is melodic and absolutely lovely. And there is no better way of hearing the way a work is to sound then by hearing it performed by it's own composer.

I highly recommend this album and feel that Kotova's career is one to keep an eye on!

Nina Kotova has proven to be one of the great solo cellists of our time. This beautiful and sometimes haunting cd will touch you on many levels regardless of your level of music appreciation, education, and sophistication. I have had the honor of meeting Ms. Kotova personally and can only say that the her statuesque & sublime beauty perfectly reflects her enchanting skills as a musician and composer. I eagerly await the next chapter in this rising talent's career. It has been some time since this cd was released, so we are long overdue for more from Ms. Kotova. I must add that if you haven't had the opportunity to see her play live, then you are really missing out. No one classical musician alive projects such enchantment.
~5 stars~

I must say that this is a gifted artist, as a composer and as
an instrumentalist. I am not sure anyone has attempted such a
daring feat recently -- to record one's own concerto. The piece
is unique and well-composed. The Bloch and Bruch piece are
beautifully played, like Ms. Kotova's first recording that I
previously have from Amazon. I recommend this to everyone!

I don't think I have seen a young virtuoso record his/her own
concerto in the last several years. The Cd not only shows
Ms. Kotova's ability as a cellist, but as a composer. The piece
is complex and gripping -- very well written. I suggest everyone
buy this CD

such power and expression! I have not heard a young artist attempt such a creative and unusual program in a long time.
Others such as Vengerov, Repin, Josefowicz should try to do
the same

Nina Kotova's concerto blew me away -- her composition is superior to most modern cello concertos I've heard. I hope it gets performed often.

The performances of the Bloch and Bruch are fresh and fantastic, but the real gem here is Kotova's own composition. The piece is virtuosic and soulful. I am a fan of new compositions, and it is rewarding to be able to hear such a strong and meaningful work. I hope this recording will result in many live performances of the work in the future. I highly recommend this disc.

Let's put aside that this is another cellist playing repertoire
on this CD. The fact that she has the guts to record her own
concerto, whether one likes it or not, is to me amazing in this
day and time of candy-coated marketing and crossover. Hats off
to her. As far as the recording is concerned, I happened to love
the concerto -- it is a blend of many styles and in fact all her
own in the end. The playing on the CD is powerful, technically
masterful and hauntingly beautiful as well. Anyone looking for
a great CD should buy this;it is not only for classical music lovers.

I am wondering how many fantastic reviews one person can write :-)
The Schelomo is average compared to e.g. Mork or Rostropovich. Her cello concerto is neither astonishing nor moving at all. What I liked best was the jewish prayer where she lets her C string suffer wonderfully.