Search - Frederic Chopin, Sergey Rachmaninov, Charles Owen :: The Romantic Cello

WONDERFUL, LYRICAL ROMANTIC PERFORMANCES

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 02/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five WONDERFUL Stars!! Great introspective and romantic cello/piano duo virtuoso performances. I came upon this CD based on a Natalie Clein 'podcast' that I am subscribed to, where she talks about her career, the music on this CD, and her unique cello. Intrigued by the beautiful music samples during the interview and based on her reputation, I bought it and it is a clear WINNER. The decade long association of classical cellist Clein and pianist Charles Owen clearly shows in each heartfelt empathetic performance. They chose the 19th Century and early 20th Century romanticism of Chopin and Rachmaninov, respectively, for this CD; their only piano and cello compositions. These lyrical performances have musical layers and interactions that yield more enjoyment with each succeeding listen.



My 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, are:

*from Chopin's Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor, Op 65: the Scherzo (Allegro Con Brio) with it's beautiful seven note interlude theme, the marvelous alternating cello and piano leads of the Largo, and the Finale (Allegro); and

*from Rachmaninov's 1901 Sonata for Piano and Cello in G Minor, Op. 19 (written for cellist Anatoly Brandukov):

The wonderous Allegro Scherzango with it's dramatic tension very effectively alternating with beautiful florid passages is certainly the high point of the entire CD for me, along with the Lento-Allegro Moderato 'calm to storm' recapitulations.



In addition to the sonatas, Chopin's Polanaise Brilliante in C Major Op 3 and Rachmaninov's awesomely lyrical Vocalise, Op 34, No 14 are wonderfully performed. Great cello/piano virtuoso performances. Bravo, Natalie and Charles! Highly Recommended. Five Stars!!



(Notes:

* this review is based on an ITunes digital download.

* Natalie Clein plays the "Simpson" Guadagnini cello (1777)."

One Little Complaint

Dr. John E. Spivey | 03/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Don't misunderstand me, the performances are first rate, as one would expect. Technically accomplished & giving deep insight into the romantic heart of the music, these are performances that bear repeated listenings. No doubt the romantic image is enhaced by Ms Clein being a very photogenic young lady.



The one little complaint pertains to the audio quality of the CD, what I perceive to be an unnatural boost of the dynamic range, particularly the lower bass which booms at times, not as annoying as a turbo-charged subwoofer in a small car but enough to require correction. These boosts may actually be to some folks liking, but not to this old codger.



John Spivey"

Lovely but...

jjmmkk | Millbrook, NY | 02/02/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am listening to the Rachmaninov as I write and much as it pains me to say it this performance simply does not catch fire. It has as much to do with Charles Owen, the pianist, as it does with Clein. This is Rachmaninov, after all, and a performance with somnolent piano playing is simply not an acceptable nor appropriate response to this music,. My sense is that Clein can do better this but that remains to be seen. Or rather heard, since the cover photo burns with a visual heat the music making does not match."