The CD of the Month for April, 2016 is “Singing Cello”, as performed by Istvan Vardai
The selections on this CD are as follows:
Falla:
Suite populaire espagnole
Fauré:
Après un rêve, Op. 7 No. 1
Kreisler:
Liebesleid
Mahler:
Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz (No. 4 from Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen)
Ich hab’ ein gluhend’ Messer (No. 3 from Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen)
Mendelssohn:
Albumblatt (1835)
Rachmaninov:
Pieces (2) for cello & piano (Prelude & Oriental Dance), Op. 2
Schumann:
Mondnacht (No. 5 from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Zwielicht (No. 10 from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Wehmut (No. 9 from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Auf einer Burg (No. 7 from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Suk:
Serenade for Cello and Piano in A major, Op. 3, No. 2
Performed by István Várdai (cello) and Julien Quentin (piano)
“Sing!” – was the instruction Giuseppe Verdi often gave orchestral players. A member of the cello section took this to heart all his life. His name was Arturo Toscanini who, as a conductor, always strived to make orchestral players ‘sing’.
Toscanini often shouted out to his orchestra players “Cantare”, in Italian…
And this is what many excellent instrumental musicians do, whenever they play an original work for the instrument or a transcription. This programme by the baritone of the string family also proves that one cannot get tired of instrumental singing.
Here is Mr. Vardai, performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Vienna Philharmonic:
