Search - David Popper, Michael Boyd :: Popper: Cello Music of David Popper

Music for an older, gentler time

Terry Maurice | Guelph, Ontario Canada | 02/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Popper was the outstanding cello composer/virtuoso of the late 19th century. His music, although not profound, is quite likeable and is of generally of a high quality for the genre. With Popper's intimate knowledge of the cello, the music is written well and explores the cello's capabilities. Being a cellist myself, Popper is well known to me and other students of the cello through his "High School of Cello Playing", which is "finishing school" of cello technique.The present CD by Mark Moskovitz and Michael Boyd is a quite enjoyable presentation by these two accomplished artists. Moskovitz's plays his cello with a lovely singing tone that bring out the qualities of Popper's music in an ideal way.There are two selections on this CD that have not been recorded very often, the "Im Walde" and the Nocturne Op. 42. Several of the pieces from the "Im Walde" are heard on cello recordings, but the entire suite has not often been recorded. I prefer the piano cello version presented here, to the recently released full-orchestra version, presented on Maria Kliegel's Naxos recording. I find Popper's orchestration to be a bit on the thin side and the essential spirit of the music comes through much better in the cello piano version.Marc Moskovitz's playing of the Nocturne Op. 42 is sweet, but not overly sentimental. His playing has a very fluid quality that presents this miniature in a very good light.The last selection on the CD the "Requiem for three cellos" should perhaps have been titled elegy or remembrance of a friend, as the piece is definitely more elegiac than the somber image that the title requiem implies. In fact, it is a lovely piece for three cellos that should be heard much more often.Overall, and within the scope of this genre of music, I rate this CD very highly. It is a good musical window on a time that has past and very well played and listenable musical experience.Terry Maurice"

Music of David Popper

paige023 | Toledo, Ohio, United States | 12/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marc Moskovitz's interpretation of this music is beautiful...he has the ability to make the cello sing and soar, and his music haunts."