Samuel Barber - Cello Concerto; Cello Sonata; Adagio

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981)

Cello Concerto

Cello Sonata

 Adagio for Strings

Ralph Kirshbaum (Cello)

Roger Vignoles (Piano) 

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Jukka-Pekka Saraste 

This CD brings together Barber's two main works for cello, his Concerto and his Sonata, along with a recording of the Adagio for Strings. Ralph Kirshbaum is a thoughtful advocate and intensely lyrical performer for both cello works.

Kirshbaum's performance of these two works was my first introduction to both pieces. Since then, the cello concerto has become one of those pieces for which I have sought many recordings. I now own recordings by Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Isserlis, Raya Garbousova, Wendy Warner and Raphael Wallfisch in addition to Kirshbaum's.

I still reach for Kirshbaum's recording despite the wealth of recordings I have. He plays the concerto from a darker perspective. No one else quite captures the majesty and ardour he brings to the introduction of the 2nd theme in the third movement, and his performance of the second movement is full of poetry. I am aware that he opts for some technical simplifications in the concerto (particularly a run at the end of the first movement that he takes as single notes when they are usually played as double stops) and I find that a little disappointing, but there is a warmth and lyricism about his playing that I find totally captivating. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Jukka-Pekka Saraste gives him admirable support. In particular, the contribution of the brass section in the third movement gives their performance a nobility not found in any other recording of the Cello Concerto.

The cello sonata is played with conviction. This, too, is a beautifully lyrical piece that deserves to have a more prominent place in the cello repertoire. Kirshbaum is skilfully accompanied by Roger Vignoles.

The perfunctory performance of the Adagio for Strings is a disappointment. The orchestra plays skillfully, but the tempo is too fast. I came away with the feeling that the tempo was set in order to make sure that it would fit into the allotted time left for this recording.

The stereo sound is rich, full and well-balanced.