Customer Reviews

Nina Kotova - Chopin, Faure, Falla, Glazunov, et al

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

THE CHOICE OF REPERTOIRE, GORGEOUS PLAYING AND FANTASTIC TECHNIQUE MAKE THIS THE BEST CELLO CD I HAVE HEARD IN YEARS. I HOPE MANY MORE WILL COME FROM THIS YOUNG ARTIST.

Although I would have liked to hear perhaps some more serious repertoire from Ms.Kotova, this album of tasty morsels is certainly beautiful. Her sound is full and rich, and her technique is awesome.Yo Yo Ma and Rostropovich should take a lesson from this cellist -- I don't know anyone else who would try to play Petrouchka on the cello.

I bought Nina Kotova's debut CD after my parents mentioned how thrilled friends of theirs in Salt Lake City had been after attending one of her concerts. I played this CD two or three times a week for six months until other members of my household started pleading for more musical variety. I still put it on occasionally, and more often when I'm alone. It has a haunting quality to it, a sweet beauty and melancholy that linger in the mind long after the music is over. I have bought it as a gift to friends and family members, including a long-term houseguest of ours who practically requested it when she left. Kotova's life story is fascinating -- persecution, exile to two countries, further musical studies, modeling (!), etc., but the main theme in her life and that of her parents is love of music, and it shows on every track of this CD. It is a wonderful debut piece for a relatively young artist. I keep checking back here to see if she has come out with a new CD, and I look forward to hearing her over the years as she matures as an artist.

I was expecting much more from a Russian cellist. I agree with the New York Times - this is just dinner music. After listening to it for about a week, I put some other music on (Jacqueline du Pre, Yo-Yo Ma) and I could immediately hear the difference. Kotova's playing is "fluffy." And her own pieces do not have much depth.

Ordinarily I wouldn't give a CD like this the time of day (because musical "compilations" drive me to distraction with their helter skelter inanity); however, the repertoire sounded intriguing and the "presentation" of cellist Kotova by Philips flamboyant enough for me to swallow my better judgement.

What came to mind, first, was: Does anybody but a first year student of the cello or a classical music novitiate really buy a CD like this, or actually spend time listening to it? This CD is what used to be derogatorily dismissed as a "bon bon." And it is just this; however, amongst the old "standards," such as the Rachmaninov "Vocalise," the de Falla "Fire Dance" and the Faure "Elegy," are some interesting items played rather swooningly, but curious nevertheless.

Of these, the Chopin "Etude" was the most surprisingly attractive, as well as the Stravinsky "Danse Russe." The Liadov, too, I found well done.

Kotova's own compositions are rather minor affairs, pleasant enough but rather naive.

What I found most distracting was the orchestral "support." It seemed absolutely out of place and ridiculous. Kotova, herself, though shows real promise as a cellist. Her tone is lush and sensuous and tangible. Let her tackle repertoire that is challenging to play and rewarding to hear.

Kotova is better than the sum of these parts.

[Running time: 68:12]

I have finally had the chance to hear a new artist that moves me. Nina Kotova's rich,glorious playing is some of the most wonderful playing I have heard in years. She certainly brings out the true character of the Russian soul. I look forward to her next cd -- hopefully concerti!

I discovered Kotova through a Readers Digest article, and was intrigued, so I bought the disc. The many short selections of the cd is not enough to fully determine what she can bring to the great masterpieces. Based on the selections contained on the cd, one can immediately tell that she is a great cellist with a deep resonant tone. The standards, like Vocalise and Petroushka are well played. The other pieces have been orchestrated by Kotova, which makes the interpretation unique. I always enjoy hearing common pieces in new setting. Let's wait till Kotova tackles some warhorses, like the Shostakovich concerto, or the Bach concertos. If it's anything like her performances here, they will be welcomed by the classical community.

I have read about this artist in Newsweek,Vogue and Time magazines. I saw Miss Kotova's interview with Charlie Rose on TV. She makes an impression of a strikingly attractive but at the same time humble and serious person for whom beauty comes from within.(Although I must admit that she definitely possesses that stunning look of a glamorous young woman) She also mentioned losing her father young,a virtuoso bassist.There is only one unpublished survived recording of him play. Frankly, Miss Kotova's CD was one of the first classical CD's I have ever purchased. I realize now how much I have been missing! Discovering Miss Kotova's Debut CD came as an absolute revelation to me. Her sound itself represents the very essence of humanity,wisdom,kindness and compassion. Her music is so touching and passionate that tears of happiness start running uncontrollably down my face when I am listening to it . I noticed that it made me reconsider certain ways of thinking and even the direction of my life. It actually made me a happier person. And that Petrouchka! With Miss Kotova's own orchestration! Artists like this that have been and are going through thorns to deliver that Ultimate Beauty to us deserve every bit of respect and recognition. Learning to comprehend that kind of message that Nina Kotova clearly sends to us will make us less prone to self-destruction as a civilization.(!)

the selection of short, romantic pieces is wonderful. The cellist, who I heard give a beautiful performance of a Haydn Cello Concerto last year in Santa Fe, is continuing to give us spectacular playing. Her playing, unlike most artists today, is unaffected and pure. She reminds me of musicians of a couple of generations back. I hope Phillips records more.

What is it: good looks or a good instrument? Since when such mediocre playing would interest Philips enough to sign such an artist? Very upsetting! This is 'music for a russian dinner', exactly as NYTimes wrote. The cellist and the orchestra are mediocre, the conductor is even less than that!