|
The year 2003 is the fiftieth anniversary of Prokofiev's
death, and it will no doubt prove to be a year in which the composer's
achievement is celebrated and put under closer critical scrutiny. This
is a cause for genuine rejoicing, since great composers prove their greatness
the more one encounters them. With Prokofiev, as with so many others,
the reputation is secure but is founded on relatively little of a substantial
creative output.
The collection of music featuring the cello that Raphael
Wallfisch presents here is ample proof of all these things. The earliest
music on offer is the Ballade, which the composer's diaries claim
was based upon a theme deriving from his childhood: his eleventh year,
in fact. He was in his early twenties when he made the final version for
cello and piano, and it proves a most satisfying and warmly expressive
piece, not least because Wallfisch brings out these virtues.
The Five Melodies are products of Prokofiev's
years of exile, the 1920s. Originating as songs, he made a well known
version of the music in an arrangement for violin and piano. This cello
version is that of Raphael Wallfisch himself, and the richness of his
tone suits the lyrical style of the music. The clean, atmospheric recorded
sound is a bonus too. In his perceptive insert note, Wallfisch's pianist
partner, John York describes this music as 'Prokofiev at his most sophisticated,
poignant and colourful'.
During his final years Prokofiev renewed his interest
in the solo cello, inspired (just like Shostakovich) by the playing of
the young Mstislav Rostropovich. The Cello and Piano Sonata is among the
finest compositions from his final years, when he struggled against the
ravages of poor health but still managed to maintain the quality of his
inspiration. The balancing of the two instruments is supremely successful,
and this rates as the composer at the height of his powers. In common
with other music from these years, there is a distinctively and deliberately
Russian flavour in this piece.
The Sonata for solo cello is more problematic. Prokofiev
began writing it but did not live to complete it beyond is series of sketches.
The completed work was constructed with great skill by Vladimir Blok and
introduced by Natalia Gutman some thirty years ago. Wallfisch's decision
to include it in his Prokofiev collection is to be applauded, since it
adds further to its interest and value. However, the music sounds less
inspired than the equivalent Sonata for solo violin, which the composer
did complete.
The remaining items are lollipops, taken from theatre
scores. The richly expressive Adagio from the ballet Cinderella
was Prokofiev's own arrangement, whereas the items from the ballet The
Stone Flower and the opera The Love for Three Oranges were
arranged by the eminent cellist Gregor Piatigorsky. All three of these
short pieces are wonderfully entertaining and very well played, and together
they set the seal on a particularly successful disc.
Terry Barfoot
|
CD Price: £ 11.50 Post-free Air Mail World-wide
- Download Price:
£ 7.11
Buy
CD:
Download all tracks:
FREE SOUND SAMPLES
(minimum 30 secs)
Ballade
Five Melodies
Op. 35bis:
Andante
Lento
ma non troppo
Animato
ma non allegro
Allegretto
leggiero e scherzando
Andante
non troppo
Sonata Op.
119:
Andante
grave
Moderato
Allegro
ma non troppo
Sonata
for Solo Cello Op. 133
Waltz
(from 'The Tale of the Stone Flower' Op.118)
March
(from 'The Love for Three Oranges' Op.33)
Adagio
(from 'Ten Pieces from Cinderella' Op.97)
You require QuickTime to listed to samples.
Get a free
QuickTime download here
|
Raphael Wallfisch (cello),
John York (piano) 