{"title":"Yo-Yo Ma (cello)","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"crossing-borders-a-musical-journey-yo-yo-ma","title":"Crossing Borders: A Musical Journey \/ Yo-Yo Ma","description":"\u003cp\u003eSony Classical is pleased to announce a new batch of reissues from the CBS\/Sony and RCA Victor\/BMG back catalogues. This latest instalment of the popular series showcases Mozart and Chopin along with conductor Robert Craft’s pioneering Webern recordings and the global journeys of that irrepressible musical explorer Yo-Yo Ma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe supremely versatile \u003cstrong\u003eYo-Yo Ma\u003c\/strong\u003e has been aptly referred to as a musical omnivore. In addition to all the significant classical works written for his instrument, the eclectic cellist has passionately embraced the music of Latin America and Asia as well as American bluegrass and jazz. Seven of his most adventurous and acclaimed musical journeys have been collected by Sony Classical in a CD box entitled “\u003cem\u003eCrossing Borders\u003c\/em\u003e”. They include \u003cem\u003eAppalachia Waltz\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAppalachian Journey\u003c\/em\u003e with Mark O’Connor and Edgar Meyer (Grammy 1998: “Best Classical Crossover Album”); \u003cem\u003eSoul of the Tango – The Music of Astor Piazzolla\u003c\/em\u003e (Grammy 1997: “Best Classical Crossover Album”); \u003cem\u003eObrigado Brazil\u003c\/em\u003e – traditional songs and compositions by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Pixinguinha (Grammy 2000: “Best Classical Crossover Album”); \u003cem\u003eSilk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eJapanese Melodies\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003eAnything Goes\u003c\/em\u003e: the cellist playing mostly Cole Porter with Stephane Grappelli; and, last but not least: Hush, his famous collaboration with Bobby McFerrin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview excerpts of previously released volumes included in this set\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppalachian Journey \/ Yo-Yo Ma, O'Connor, Meyer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mark O’Connor\/Yo-Yo Ma\/Edgar Meyer power trio took a while to follow up their 1996 hit Appalachia Waltz, yet, no doubt about it, Appalachian Journey was worth the long wait. I love the gnarly funk of the opening cut, “1B”, with hard swinging fiddle and cello lines anchored by Meyer’s earthy, off-center pedal points. The less driving, more reflective reels, and lyrical Duet for Cello and Bass fuse bluegrass, wistful folk tunes, and stark Copland-esque landscapes into organic wholes that sound better with each rehearing. The deliciously virtuosic Caprice for Three proves that players of this caliber can channel their super-chops toward listening out loud. Guest vocal stints by James Taylor and Alison Krauss add the spice of variety to the mix, along with a potential wider audience. And why not? The arrangements are judiciously varied, perfectly paced, and exploit the violin\/cello\/string bass configuration in ingenuous ways. One wonders how this trio might approach certain pieces over a looser, more extended improvisational time frame. I hope we won’t have to wait another three and a half years to find out. If you’re in a blue mood, this disc will provide an antidote with long-range positive side effects. Fun, fun stuff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-- ClassicsToday.com (\u003cstrong\u003e10\/10\u003c\/strong\u003e, Jed Distler)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObrigado Brazil \/ Yo-Yo Ma\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe music on this enchanting, flavorful CD varies from classical to samba to bossa nova; the combinations range from guitar, flute, and cello to female voice (the remarkable Rosa Passos), cello, guitar, percussion, piano, and bass; to simple cello and piano; to cello and two guitars. The overriding element is rhythm; each selection has a beat which is both infectious and sensual, but the contexts are splendidly varied. It's impossible to get bored or tired listening to this creative CD; it's unique--just like Yo-Yo Ma himself--and endlessly surprising. It may not be quite what we'd call \"classical\" music, but it is many kinds of music, and they all will delight. The other musicians are as impressive on their instruments as Ma is with his cello, and that's saying a great deal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-- ClassicsToday.com (Robert Levine)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilk Road Journeys - When Strangers Meet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilk Road Journeys is an invigorating, eye-opening ride. To be sure, some pieces fare better than others, but as with any unforgettable trip, you tend to forget the occasional bumps you hit along unknown roads. Our guides are a generally stellar selection of master artists, including the luminary pipa player Wu Man and kemencheh and setar player Kayhan Kalhor. These two musicians in particular can go head-to-head in virtuosity with Yo-Yo Ma any day. Complemented by cleanly articulated sound, Sony Classical has produced a real keeper in its Yo-Yo Ma catalog, but the cellist makes his collaborators the true focus of this album.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n-- ClassicsToday.com (\u003cstrong\u003e10\/10\u003c\/strong\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012668412138,"sku":"194399162026","price":14.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4044365-2846025.jpg?v=1778268906"},{"product_id":"julliard-string-quartet-plays-schoenberg","title":"Julliard String Quartet plays Schoenberg","description":"\u003cp\u003eArnold Schoenberg, one of the most influential musical figures of the 20th century, was born in Vienna in 1874. Sony Classical is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the great composer’s birth with the reissue of 20 CDs of recordings from CBS\/American Columbia. The company was a pioneer in documenting Schoenberg’s achievements and already demonstrated that commitment during his lifetime (he died in 1951). In 1940, with the composer conducting, Columbia Masterworks produced the first recording of one of his most captivating and revolutionary works, Pierrot lunaire; and in the 1950s and 60s, the label undertook a ground-breaking multi-volume series entitled “The Music of Arnold Schoenberg”. But arguably no recordings have done more to further the cause of Schoenberg’s orchestral and vocal works than those of Pierre Boulez, while none have done more to promote his chamber music than those by the Juilliard Quartet. Sony Classical now presents all of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/arkivmusic.com\/products\/pierre-boulez-conducts-arnold-schoenberg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Pierre Boulez Conducts Arnold Schoenberg\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBoulez’s Schoenberg for CBS\/Columbia in a 13-CD box\u003c\/a\u003e, and all of the Juilliard’s in a 7-disc set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012706390250,"sku":"196588272028","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4348987-3203273.jpg?v=1778234032"},{"product_id":"clarissa-the-history-of-a-young-lady-vol-1-unabridged","title":"Clarissa - The History of a Young Lady, Vol. 1 (Unabridged)","description":"A milestone in the history of the novel, Samuel Richardson's epistolary and elaborate Clarissa follows the life of a chaste young woman desperate to protect her virtue. When beautiful Clarissa Harlowe is forced to marry the rich but repulsive Mr. Solmes, she refuses, much to her family's chagrin. She escapes their persecution with the help of Mr. Lovelace, a dashing and seductive rake, but soon finds herself in a far worse dilemma. Lovelace is a devil in disguise: he promptly imprisons Clarissa, and is determined to break her will. Terrifying and enlightening, Clarissa weaves a tapestry of narrative experimentation into a gripping morality tale of good triumphing over evil. The recording is divided into three volumes, the present release being the first. Clarissa is one of the longest novels in the English canon; many critics agree that it is one of the greatest and most influential in English. For this first ever unabridged recording, a carefully selected cast of readers bring to life Richardson's intricate narrative.","brand":"Naxos AudioBooks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012862136554,"sku":"9781781981122","price":81.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3793383.jpg?v=1778276107"},{"product_id":"brahms-complete-chamber-music","title":"Brahms: Complete Chamber Music","description":"This is the complete video release of Brahms' chamber music with several reference recordings. Moreover, the 16 hours of SD-quality video materials presented here on a single Blu-ray disc are equivalent to about eight standard DVD releases. This edition features great performances by today's most outstanding artists showcasing their thrilling artistry in inimitable performances. A must for any Brahms aficionado!","brand":"EUROARTS","offers":[{"title":"Blu-Ray","offer_id":46012943007978,"sku":"880242640130","price":65.16,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4337072-3178183.jpg?v=1778370254"},{"product_id":"traditions-and-transformations-yo-yo-ma-wu-88295","title":"Traditions And Transformations \/ Yo-Yo Ma, Wu Man","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntriguing; the Harrison and the Bloch are outstanding.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a very miscellaneous collection, but then followers of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road project will have come to expect nothing less. This particular CD was recorded as the climax of the Project’s year-long association with the city of Chicago. During that year Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road ensemble interacted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This involved a series of events which celebrated and explored many kinds of intercultural musical exchange, going beyond the specific cultural meetings and transferences which the Silk Road itself facilitated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHere we have a sampling of such interactions, some rather more familiar and ‘mainstream’ than others. Of Jewish background, born in Switzerland, and a student in Belgium, Germany and France and resident in the USA from 1916 until his death - bar a return to Europe in the 1930s - Ernest Bloch was something of a one-man intercultural ‘event’ in himself and his music was always open to a variety of influences. Subtitled a ‘Hebraic Rhapsody for cello and orchestra’, Schelomo (Solomon) was written between December 1915 and February 1916. Bloch’s own programme notes for the piece spoke of the cello as “the reincarnated voice of King Solomon” and suggested that the orchestra was “the voice of his age … his world … his experience”. The languorous dances and slow, meditative music of much of the work’s first section are well and expressively played by Ma and the CSO under Harth-Bedova, the note of despair, of the all-embracing sentiments of Ecclesiastes (of which Solomon was, traditionally, the author) – “Vanity of vanities, all is Vanity” – never far from the surface. But perhaps this performance doesn’t quite do justice to what Bloch called the “complete negation” which characteries the work’s conclusion, where the playing seems a bit too ready to settle for rhetorical effect rather than substance. But, overall, this is a performance which puts a good case for the work and is well worth hearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe other familiar work is Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite - in which the CSO is conducted by Alan Gilbert - which grew from the young composer’s fascination with the nomads of the steppes, without too much in the way of direct borrowings from the music of such tribes. The modern listener is most likely to find in it a slightly politer, more westernied version of The Rite of Spring and indeed this work, like Stravinsky’s, was grounded in the composer’s collaboration with Diaghilev. Prokofiev’s rhythms are less complex and fierce than Stravinsky’s, the sense of ritualistic violence less intense, though the orchestration is brilliant and striking. The reeds of the CSO are particularly impressive in ‘The Adoration of Veles and Ala’, the first movement, while there is disciplined orchestral power galore in the opening of the second movement, ‘The Enemy God and the Dance of the Black Spirits’. Somehow, though, the performance doesn’t quite do full justice to the ominous, distinctly ‘Russian’ music of this movement, lacking the ultimate in intensity and drive. The dark evocativeness of the first part of ‘Night’ is more convincing and the final movement, ‘’Lolly’s Glorious Departure and the Ceremonial Procession of the Sun’ catches fire in the closing imagery of the rising sun. For all the efforts of orchestra and conductor, it is hard to see Prokofiev’s ballet music - striking as much of it is - as more than superficially involving any real cultural interaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom that point of view, Lou Harrison’s Pipa Concerto is more richly suggestive. The pipa is, to put it crudely but briefly, a kind of Chinese lute, with a pear-shaped wooden body. Harrison’s ‘concerto’ is very obviously the work of a man who, by the date of its composition, was steeped in oriental musical traditions and had given real thought to how they might exist creatively alongside western instruments and conventions. For Harrison the interface between oriental and occidental musics is familiar territory, a territory in which he can be unaffectedly and unpretentiously creative. As a result there is an ease and certainty of purpose to this concerto, which is beautifully played by Wu Man – some will have heard some of her other collaborations with, inter alia, Kronos Quartet and Yuri Bashmet. The concerto – which is perhaps better described as a suite than as a concerto if one insists on using western terminology – is various in mood and a thing of considerable beauty. In four movements - though one of them consists of four more or less distinct sections - the opening allegro balances eastern and western formality in a dialogue that has dignity and substance, while the fertility of Harrison’s eclectic imagination is evident in much of what follows. In ‘Troika’ the pipa sounds almost like a balalaika and in the brief ‘Neapolitan’ there are, perhaps unsurprisingly, but quite delightfully, echoes of the Italian mandolin tradition. In ‘Three Sharing’ the orchestra drops out and we are treated to a percussive conversation between the pipa of Wu Man, the cello of John Sharp and the double bass of Joseph Guastafeste. The most conventionally oriental episode comes in ‘Wind and Plum’, where the pipa’s cadences, against a lush orchestral background, are incisive and evocative. The penultimate movement is a lament, a ‘Threnody for Richard Locke’, a five minute elegy, powerfully melodic and exquisitely grave. By contrast the ‘concerto ends with an ‘Estampie’, in which medieval and renaissance dance rhythms meet (very fruitfully) the sounds of one of the lute’s ancestors. This whole concerto – the last of Harrison’s large-scale works – is the high spot of this disc.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn ‘Legend of Herlen’ the Mongolian composer Byambasuren Sharav draws on both native Mongolian traditions and instruments and on Western music. Western brass, in the shape of three trombones, and percussion - along with a piano - sit alongside the morin khuur, a two stringed fiddle and the sound of Khongorzul Ganbaatar, an exponent of the Mongolian tradition of ‘long song’, full of sustained and richly ornamented phrases. The results are intriguing and at times very beautiful, but perhaps most satisfying when Ganbaatar’s voice is accompanied solely by the morin khuur; the writing for western instruments is relatively pedestrian and predictable and actually seems to add very little to the Mongolian essence of the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow far the Silk Road project has really succeeded – with anything like consistency – in uniting disparate musical traditions is a matter for debate. What is surely undeniable is that all their recordings have, at the very least, been stimulating, engaging and challenging. This new recording is no exception.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e-- Glyn Pursglove, MusicWeb International\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSO Resound","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013212459242,"sku":"810449018012","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1301530.jpg?v=1778335252"},{"product_id":"messages-andrzej-panufnik-chamber-works-for-strings-197858","title":"Messages - Andrzej Panufnik: Chamber Works for Strings \/ Brodsky Quartet","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Brodsky Quartet joins the 2014 Andrzej Panufnik centenary year of reminiscence and celebration with Messages, recordings of works by both Andrzej and his daughter Roxanna. + In ‘Modlitwa’, originally a vocal work, both father and daughter composed sections, with Roxanna subsequently making this string sextet arrangement. + ‘Song to the Virgin Mary’, dedicated to his wife, also began as an a cappella work. + His three string quartets reveal his innovative and expressive musical language. + The Brodsky Quartet commissioned ‘Memories of My Father’ especially for the centenary.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chandos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013427679466,"sku":"095115183922","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2804669.jpg?v=1778381631"},{"product_id":"saint-saens-organ-symphony-danse-macabre-le-63374","title":"Saint-Saens: Organ Symphony; Danse Macabre; Le Carnaval des Animaux \/ Ormandy","description":"If you’re looking for an inexpensive single disc containing Saint-Saëns’ most popular orchestral works, then you can’t miss with this collection. I often wonder if Ormandy had not gone on to remake his core repertoire with RCA, in mostly duller performances and lousy sound, whether his reputation would be as low as it is at present. There’s some absolutely sensational music making on this disc, and to prove it I offer three sound samples for you to consider.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  First, this is one of the great “Organ” Symphonies, not perhaps quite as exciting as Munch, but awfully close, with amazingly fine playing from the Philadelphians and astonishingly good sonics for the period (1962). E. Power Biggs is the excellent soloist, offering a rendition of the organ part that’s unusually well articulated rhythmically. Consider the opening of the finale: bold and quite striking in its firmly phrased, grand reprise of the symphony’s motto theme (first sound sample). Ormandy never matched this performance, and he re-recorded this symphony at least twice.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  The symphony may be fine, but it’s the couplings that really close the deal. The Marche militaire française has plenty of swagger, and these versions of the Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila and the Danse macabre are simply the best available. Ormandy does a little light restoring of the former, and it matters not a bit–this performance just drips sex and couldn’t be more wildly uninhibited (second sound sample). As for the Danse, just listen to those Philadelphia violins sing out the main theme (third sound sample). It doesn’t get any better than that.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  The Carnival of the Animals is no mere make-weight bonus. Heard in its chamber scoring, the performers make an impressive list: Philippe Entremont and Gaby Casadesus on pianos, Régis Pasquier and Yan-Pascal Tortelier on violins, Gérard Caussé on viola, and no less than the young Yo-Yo Ma on cello. Taken together, you have a perfect disc of Saint-Saëns favorites in performances as good or better than any available. And it’s all offered at budget price. Pure gold.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  – ClassicsToday (David Hurwitz)","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46015542690026,"sku":"888837694827","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2349787.jpg?v=1778300852"},{"product_id":"the-new-york-album-yo-yo-ma-235995","title":"The New York Album \/ Yo-Yo Ma","description":"YO-YO MA: THE NEW YORK ALBUM","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46015562842346,"sku":"886975610822","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4378949-3274130.jpg?v=1778223998"},{"product_id":"eisler-kalifornische-ballade","title":"Eisler: Kalifornische Ballade","description":"The songs and ballads written by Hanns Eisler (1898-1962) for the radio play Kalifornische Ballade (California Ballad) are among his least known works and are presented here for their first release ever. 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Following the events of 1933 that had suspended the writing and public performance of California Ballad, this depressing turn for the worse may have deterred the composer from contributing to a revival of the work in subsequent years.","brand":"Berlin Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46015606096106,"sku":"885470009339","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3191179-2476626.jpg?v=1778272428"},{"product_id":"songs","title":"SONGS","description":"Classical Music","brand":"Crystal Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46017745879274,"sku":"4049774670787","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3816685.jpg?v=1778276627"},{"product_id":"art-of-life","title":"ART OF LIFE","description":"Japanese vocalist May Okita recently departed Los Angeles where she spent several years developing her musical voice with some of the finest mentors and musical partners in jazz. 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Together, they explore many of the subtleties of the human heart - pleasure, sorrow, passion, calmness - her sonorous and poignant voice floating effortlessly over the Bernstein\/Comden gem \"Some Other Time,\" the Joni Mitchell classic \"Both Sides Now,\" the Lou Carter, Herb Ellis, Johnny Frigo beauty \"Detour Ahead,\" or May and Josh's own title song. \"Art of Life\" is a heartfelt debut for a promising new voice.\"May's delivery is at times so genuine and kind, it is really a pleasure to listen to her...\" - Michele Weir.","brand":"ORIGIN RECORDS","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46025233531114,"sku":"805558277122","price":16.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3844268.jpg?v=1778373997"},{"product_id":"wagner-siegfried","title":"Wagner: Siegfried","description":"Classical Music","brand":"Opus Arte","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46025913532650,"sku":"809478090038","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1541345-2579035_4aaa69ee-8d0c-45e8-bae0-cf6311dade3c.jpg?v=1778337467"},{"product_id":"finzi-cello-concerto-clarinet-concerto-ma-denman-57130","title":"Finzi: Cello Concerto, Clarinet Concerto \/ Ma, Denman, Handley","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis will look good on your shelves next to the Boult-Lyrita disc of Finzi miniatures … one of those “ah, yes” moments one sometimes gets with Finzi when everything seems so utterly right.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Though the LP has long held pride of place on one's shelves how good it is to welcome the CD remastering of Yo-Yo Ma’s Cello Concerto coupled with John Denman’s lissom performance of the Clarinet Concerto. Back in the old days the Cello Concerto stood proudly alone, all forty-one minutes of it.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e It was Yo-Yo Ma’s first recording and alerted many to the sheer bigness of Finzi’s inspiration, especially those for whom bigness in Finzi had been confined to the vocal and choral works. The power of the opening movement resides in the declamatory, decidedly non-vocalised orchestral writing and its relationship with the lingering songfulness of the cello; how the orchestra, initially cool, relents to join in the narrator-hero’s limpid beauty of utterance; how Orpheus tames the implacable beasts. And almost as surprising for those who had him pegged as a miniaturist, was the frenzy of the Brahms-leaning cadenza. But the heartbeat of the work is the rapt slow movement, one of those “ah, yes” moments one sometimes gets with Finzi when everything seems so utterly right. The pastoral-pensive writing is beautifully conveyed here – I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it done better – and so too are the animating orchestral pizzicati and the verdant winds which join the cello in its journey. There’s a real narrative here, an encompassing one, faithfully and richly projected by soloist, orchestra and conductor alike. The finale is a drama of drumming pizzicati and wind solos coiling around the cello line like vines.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e It’s precisely the vigorous vocality of the companion concerto that gives it such a sense of elation and verve. The clarinet’s mellifluous femininity immediately tames and quells the orchestra in much the same way that the Cello did in the later work. It’s a feature of both concertos that the solo line is vested with such power of oratory that it acts as an instrument of control. Note as well the propulsive, kinetic way that Denman and Handley manoeuvre to the end of the first movement. Apposite string weight is a feature of this performance as well and the delicate solo arabesques are met by the diaphanous orchestration. There have been a number of recommendable performances of this Concerto but in its swiftness and ease this performance still earns the highest accolades.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e This will look good on your shelves next to the Boult-Lyrita disc of Finzi miniatures on SRCD239.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e -- Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lyrita","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46026319954154,"sku":"5020926023629","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1087871.jpg?v=1778226258"},{"product_id":"vocal-recital-may-gisela-weill-k-werzlau-j-eisle","title":"Vocal Recital: May, Gisela - WEILL, K. \/ WERZLAU, J. \/ EISLE","description":"Classical Music","brand":"Berlin Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46026406559978,"sku":"782124331528","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1151935.jpg?v=1778330316"},{"product_id":"verdi-missa-da-requiem-bosch-ramos-may-87952","title":"Verdi: Missa Da Requiem \/ Bosch, Ramos, May, Et Al","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Coviello","offers":[{"title":"SACD","offer_id":46027687723242,"sku":"4039956305125","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1633315.jpg?v=1778333583"},{"product_id":"st-mark-passion-missa-wellens","title":"ST MARK PASSION  MISSA WELLENS","description":"In celebration of John Joubert’s ninetieth birthday, Wells Cathedral Choir with their director Matthew Owens present a new recording of recent choral works from this prolific veteran composer. Featuring works commissioned for and first performed by the cathedral choir at Wells, this programme has at its heart the extended St. Mark Passion, a profound and heartfelt retelling of the well-known passion story. Completing the album are the expansive Missa Wellensis and Joubert’s vivid and powerful setting of Lucis iste. The Wells Cathedral Choir was hailed in 2011 by an international jury from Gramophone Magazine as the greatest choir with children in the world, and the sixth greatest overall. The choir celebrated its 1100th birthday in 2009: boys sang first at Wells Cathedral in 909 and the full choral tradition dates back over 800 years. In 1994 the choral foundation at Wells was enriched by the addition of girl choristers. Today the choir consists of 18 boy choristers, 18 girl choristers, and 12 Vicars Choral. The boys and girls usually sing separately with the Vicars Choral but occasionally come together for larger events and tours.","brand":"Resonus Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46027734089962,"sku":"5060262791035","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3723902.jpg?v=1778278719"},{"product_id":"aribert-reimann-melusine-167913","title":"Aribert Reimann: Melusine","description":"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan class=\"COMPOSER12\"\u003eREIMANN \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12bi\"\u003eMelusine \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12\"\u003e • \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e Peter Hirsch, cond; Marlene Mild (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12i\"\u003eMelusine\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e); Teresa Erbe (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12i\"\u003ePythia\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e); Gabriele May (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12i\"\u003eMadame Lapérouse\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e); Richard Kindley (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12i\"\u003eMax Oleander\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e); Song-Hu Liu (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12i\"\u003eCount Von Lusignan\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e); Nuremberg P \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12\"\u003e • \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e WERGO WER 6719 2 (2 CDs: 96:47 \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003eText and Translation) Live: Nuremberg 5\/12\/2007 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eAribert Reimann (b. 1936) has pursued a dual career as composer and pianist; he was Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau’s accompanist for 20th-century repertoire. Reimann has written perhaps 50 major works in many forms, most of them including the voice. He is best known for his ambitious operas based on major literary works: \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Trojan Women \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e(Euripedes), \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eA Dream Play\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Ghost Sonata\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (Strindberg), \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Castle\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (Kafka), \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe House of Bernarda Alba\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (Lorca), \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eMedea\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (after Franz Grillparzer), and—talk about ambitious—Shakespeare’s \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLear\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, the latter written for Fischer-Dieskau, who suggested the subject and sang the 1978 premiere, recorded live by Deutsche Grammophon. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eThe 1971\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003e Melusine\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, based on a play by Yvon Goll, is the “Pastoral” Symphony of Reimann’s dramas, a breath of fresh air amid all that heavy breathing. It is the classic story of a mermaid who loves a mortal, for which they both must pay with their lives—\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eRusalka\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e moved to the big city, or at least to a park at the edge of town. Max’s former lover, Madame Lapérouse, has arranged his marriage to Melusine, who remains virginal despite his complaints. She in turn consorts with her magical friends in the woods; the fairy Pythia (her Ježibaba) gives her the fishtail, which “closes her loins but makes her irresistible to men,” some of whom die for her. Finally, she falls for the Count, and you know the rest. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eAs befits a fairy tale, the elegant music is lighter and easier than the dense, mostly serial expressionism of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLear \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eThe Castle\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, and the spare, harsh melodrama of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eBernarda Alba\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e. But the most fascinating—astonishing—thing about \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eMelusine\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e is the title character’s vocal line, which makes the Queen of the Night sound like a basso profundo. It has easily the highest tessitura I have ever encountered, probably around a’’, with excursions up through the next octave. Even more amazing is the apparent ease with which Marlene Mild handles the range and the coloratura; there is no screeching or squeaking here, and—after the astonishment wears off—her singing comes to seem natural for this mythical, magical creature. Baritone Song-Hu Liu is also marvelous as the Count; they share a long, gorgeous duet in the final act, which is surrounded by two impressive orchestral interludes. The whole cast is eminently satisfactory, as is the orchestra. The opera is a bit slow to get started—scene 1 is a tedious debate between Max and Madame which brings us up to snuff on who’s who and what’s what—but it takes wing with Melusine’s entrance. The live recording is clear and clean, with no audience intrusions. German and English texts appear on facing pages. Unless you can’t abide any music beyond Strauss, this is definitely an opera worth getting to know. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-weight:bold\"\u003eFANFARE: James H. North \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Wergo","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46027849072874,"sku":"4010228671926","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1716807.jpg?v=1778323599"},{"product_id":"brahms-beethoven-mozart-trios-ax-stoltzman-ma-235996","title":"Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart: Trios \/ Ax, Stoltzman, Ma","description":"YO-YO MA PLAYS CLARINET TRIOS","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46039776985322,"sku":"886975611027","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4316867-3145170.jpg?v=1778810624"},{"product_id":"saint-saens-lalo-cello-concertos-tchaikovsky-rococo-149197","title":"Saint-Saens, Lalo: Cello Concertos; Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations \/ Yo-Yo Ma","description":"Drawn from the worldwide catalog holdings of Sony Classical, which includes both the Columbia\/CBS and RCA Victor label imprints, the SONY Classical Originals, SONY Classical Masters Singles and Box Sets, and SONY Opera House series offer an extensive selection of highly desirable and collectible EU (Germany) pressed import editions, smartly designed and graphically pleasing, featuring the most sought-after recordings by the world's preeminent, legendary artists both past and present, with many titles newly re-mastered in 24 bit High Resolution Audio.","brand":"Sony Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46039778230506,"sku":"886977143328","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1673801.jpg?v=1778810709"}],"url":"https:\/\/arkivmusic.com\/collections\/yo-yo-ma-cello.oembed","provider":"ArkivMusic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}