Composer: Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitry Kabalevsky
Performer: Leonard Elschenbroich, Alexei Grynyuk, Petr Limonov
Orchestra: Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Andrew Litton
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Onyx
Catalogue: ONYX4122
Release: 2014
Size: 244 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Prokofiev: Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119
01. I. Andante grave
02. II. Moderato
03. III. Allegro, ma non troppo
04. Kabalevsky: Novelette No. 25, Op. 27
05. Prokofiev: The Stone Flower: Waltz (arr. by Petr Limonov)
06. Prokofiev: The Love for Three Oranges: Suite Op. 33a: March
07. Prokofiev: Adagio for cello & piano (from Cinderella), Op. 97bis
Kabalevsky: Concerto No. 2 pour violoncelle en Ut Majeur, Op. 77
08. I. Molto sostenuto – Allegro molto e energico
09. II. Presto marcato
10. III. Andante con moto
Leonard Elschenbroich’s debut ONYX disc of sonatas by Rachmaninov & Shostakovich was greeted with universal praise by critics worldwide. ‘Exceptional’ said the Guardian awarding it the maximum 5 stars. The Daily Telegraph also awarded it 5 stars saying ‘There is an intensely inward, deeply communicative quality to this performance that draws you right to its tragic, pensive core’.
Elschenbroich for his second ONYX release gives a blistering performance of the little known 2nd Cello Concerto of Kabalevsky with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra under Andrew Litton. Recorded live in the Concertgebouw, it reveals this powerful concerto to be a neglected masterpiece worthy of a regular place in the repertoire. Prokofiev’s late Cello Sonata composed for Rostropovich in 1949, a difficult time for the composer. In failing health and accused by Stalin’s thuggish henchman Zhdanov of committing ‘formalist crimes’ against the Soviet people, his works were banned.
Rostropovich and Sviatoslav Richter supported Prokofiev through this nightmare, giving the premiere in early 1950.