Search - Natalie Clein :: Elgar: Cello Concerto

POWER AND PASSION: NATALIE CLEIN'S SUPERB ELGAR SALUTE!!

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 01/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five WONDERFUL Stars!! Cello virtuosa Natalie Clein has produced a wonderful salute to the 150th anniversary of the birth of classical composer Sir Edward Elgar. This 'all Elgar' CD centers around her stupendous 21st Century version of his Cello Concerto in E Minor, Opus 85 that seems to be in the repertoire of most cellists: a piece that Ms Clein cut her teeth on over a decade ago as a teen phenom with an award-winning performance. The concerto is a piece described by Elgar himself as "a man's attitude to life", so it's oddly refreshing that the better performances belong to the female cellists: most notably the definitive 1965 version by the late Jacqueline du Pré with Sir John Barbirolli and the LSO, and another wonderful flowing version by the redoubtable Maria Kliegel with Michael Halasz & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Now Natalie Clein continues that trend with this marvelous version, which shows the 30 year old Ms Clein has matured impressively in her award-winning, globe-trotting career.



The cello concerto is a deep reflection on the after-effects of World War I and Ms Clein masterfully mines the deep emotions and soaring mournful themes, wonderfully assisted by Vernon Handley and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The Concerto performance is technically superb, very emotional, and overall STUPENDOUS, with the opening salvo of the Adagio movement going from a more definitive bold statement to Natalie taking diminuendos to the level of a whisper, twice, lower than any other cellist that I have heard: a clear hint that this performance will be individualistic. She differs from du Pré by her phrasing and note elasticity, as in her run up to the first crescendo where she wrings every ounce of angst from the last note which is almost a shriek. With Kliegel and du Pre', there appears to be a pause at the top of the crescendo where the orchestra takes over; Clein surges forward with that powerful note into the orchestration and I must admit it both surprised and overpowered me emotionally. The second crescendo is the same, so it's intentional: she has definitely found something small, different but, for me, powerful. Not just here, but throughout the concerto. Also noteworthy is her work in the plaintiff Lento and the hair-raising soliloquy in the fourth movement which is clearly her own reflection. The flamboyant epilogue seems to be a better finale to me than others I have heard. Ms du Pré still has the definitive version, but Ms Clein has joined a very select circle with this cello concerto.



This Elgar CD celebration then introduces us to six short pieces written for other instruments, transcribed by Julian Milone, and Ms Clein makes them dance for us, especially the joyous "La Capricieuse", "Salut D'Amour" and the emotional "Chanson De Matin", which are my favorites. These are clearly not on the same level as major Elgar works, but in Ms Clein's hands they are interesting and enjoyable: more like premium coffee and gourmet dessert following the main feast. But the star here is clearly the cello concerto and the rippling, passionately-assured bow work of Ms Clein. Kudos to Mr Handley and the excellent RLPO, as well as Mr Milone. Bravo, Ms Clein. My HIghest Recommendation. Five BIG Stars!!

(Audio CD, 52:25 total time, with jewel box, notes in English with photos.)"

Superb version in every way

YIP Alex | 08/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with RBS in his review. Although I long cherish the "definitive " version by du Pre. this version can stand comparison with that version, which is no mean praise. The emotional content is fully realised, the recording outstanding and Clein's magnificent cello tone superbly captured on this disc. Strongly recommended."

A mawkish, self-indulgent reading, and stingy timing to boot

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/09/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The fillers here are Edwardian salon pieces that have been transcribed for cello, leaving about half an hour of serious music, in the form of the great Elgar Cello Concerto. There have been a handful of competitors to Jacqueline du Pre's two classic accounts (on EMI and Sony), but this certainly isn't one. Natalie Clein, who won a prestigious BBC Young Artist award ten years ago playing this work, has indulged herself in a wayward, fussy reading that I found hard to sit through.



There's barely one bar of sincere expression and many bars of posing. Her tone is smallish, her emotional approach coy. If that appeals to you, as it does to the other reviewers here, have at it. Handley, an experienced Elgarian, seems content to follow Ms. Clein whither she goeth."