Schumann: Cello Concerto; Bloch: Schelomo; Bruch: Kol Nidrei

Robert Schumann (Composer), Max Bruch (Composer), Ernest Bloch (Composer), Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
• Composer: Robert Schumann, Max Bruch, Ernest Bloch
• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0006IQM44
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,574 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I. Nicht Zu Schnell

2. II. Langsam

3. III. Sehr Lebhaft

4. Kol Nidrei

5. Schelomo

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mørk and Järvi offer Cello and Orchestra Classics 101 with this compilation, three of the best-known works for that combination. They also offer Smooth Classics, playing all three works with an emphasis on lyricism which overcomes all other factors. The almost manic variety of the Schumann, the intensity of the Bruch, the prophetic fury of the Bloch, all submerge in a wash of good nature and pleasant sounds. Actually, Radio France, which made this recording, contributes too strongly to the overall lack of impact by allowing the orchestra to swim in a background haze of sound, with insufficient presence and clarity. These are not bad performances, and the musicians are obviously achieving what they set out to do. But, just as one example, Virgin's previous Schelomo with Steven Isserlis as soloist makes the music far more compelling and memorable than this version. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An overly varied program, April 20, 2005

By 

Jude Ziliak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schumann: Cello Concerto; Bloch: Schelomo; Bruch: Kol Nidrei (Audio CD)

I won a copy of this CD in a random drawing held by the Strad magazine, which gave me the double excitement of getting a free CD and receiving mail from London. That prejudice aside, this is really an excellent disc. Bravo to Mork, Jarvi, and the Orchestra de Radio France for putting together such an idiosyncratic program and for pulling it off so well. I had heard all three works before, but never listened to them closely; Yo Yo Ma's recording of the Schumann had put me off of that piece. Mork has a much finer grasp on it than Ma, negotiating gracefully Schumann's knotty phrases and by intelligent analysis bringing out the lyricism of a piece that, when approached in a more straightforward manner, sounds pedantic and overly difficult. The OP de RF does a really fine job, playing gorgeously and supporting the soloist quite well. The sound quality is good, too.
The juxtaposition of the Bruch and Bloch pieces with the Schumann is simply bizarre. Perhaps it was the performers' intention to bring out the expressive, accessible qualities of the Schumann and de-emphasize the occasional maudlin of the other two; for me, though, the contrast is too much. I cannot listen to this disc straight through. I have to listen either to the Schumann alone, or to the other two alone.
That said, Mork's playing in all three is brilliant. His playing is elegant in a way reminescent of Milstein's on the violin, but though he lacks Milstein's transcendent technique, he possesses an almost eery individualized tone, which is an integral part of his remarkably polished playing. His suavity is in no way old-fashioned, but it feels almost aristocratic-- even as his performance seems to "popularize" the Schumann Concerto. Bravo.