Search - Schumann, Falla, Haydn :: Cello Concerto

The "Cellist's Cellist"

M. Barker | Los Angeles, CA | 06/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Arguably the finest cellist of the 20th century, and unquestionably the greatest cellist you've probably never heard of, Daniil (or Daniel) Shafran left a legacy of recordings in Russia, of which only a few made it to North America. Fortunately, one of them is his definitive recording of the Kabalevsky concerto, which serves as a perfect introduction for new listeners to Shafran's distinctive sound and style. Shafran's reputation as a "cellist's cellist" has given him somewhat of a cult status over the past several decades. His following is somewhat sparse but extremely devoted. If you enjoy his playing you will most likely find yourself searching like mad for more of his recordings, and good luck to you, because the real gems are not easy to find. While this recording most certainly has a secure spot on my desert island list, Shafran's equally definitive recordings of the Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante, Schubert Arpeggione Sonata, Brahms E minor Sonata, and Bach Gamba Sonatas, as well as many others are worth searching for. For now all of these but the Prokofiev are available only in Korea and Russia, but more and more Shafran recordings are appearing here each year, and thank goodness for that."