Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: Music for Cello & Orchestra

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This disc includes the Original Version of the Rococo Variations, unchanged by the cellist who decided to modify the order of Tchaikovsky's work. It is a charming piece that shows Tchaikovsky at his most Mozartian.

The Pezzo Capriccioso isn't one of my favorite Tchaikovsky works, but it is pleasant enough. The remaining four pieces are arrangements of earlier works. The Nocturne was originally published as a piano piece, Christ Had a Garden and Was I Not a Blade of Grass? as songs, and the Andante cantabile as the second movement of the String Quartet No. 1. None aspire to the heights of the Rococo Variations, but are wonderful miniatures nevertheless. I find the melancholy Nocturne particularly enjoyable.

The performances highlight the lyrical qualities of this music. Raphael Wallfisch lovely cellos playing is impeccable. He is backed up well by the English Chamber Orchestra and Geoffrey Simon (who conducted a number of rare Tchaikovsky works for Chandos).

A pity Tchaikovsky did not write more for cello and orchestra! As it is, this disc times in at a scant 47:41. Even an arrangement by someone other than Tchaikovsky would have been welcome. Still, anyone willing to spend the money on this lovely CD will not be severely disappointed. This is some delightful music-making.

This is one of my most beloved CD's from my Tchaikovsky collection.
It includes his complete works for cello and orchestra. The main jewel
included is the original version of the Rococo Variations, that has some
differences with the final and much more known version. The other hit is
the rarely played and less known Pezzo Capriccioso Op.62, that despite
its briefness is a very beautiful and inspired piece. The cellist,
Raphael Wallfisch, played heavenly and has left here one of his best
recordings. An essential for every Tchaikovsky collection.

I took this CD with me to Russia, and the music became fused with momentous emotional events there. The Variations I offered to the ears of a Russian musician who played cello. She enjoyed it immensely.

I loved a certain soprano in the church choir in the town I visited. I was spurned by this woman. Did this dispose me to Tchaikovsky's tenderness and suffering? Indeed. The Nocturne especially reverberated in my soul, like liquid moonlight, a balm to my misery; it is played beautifully on this CD. 'Christ Had a Garden' and 'Was I Not a Blade of Grass' are Russian hymns that fit perfectly with the winter wind off the steppe. I love this CD and the memories associated with it.