Rondo Violoncello works by Bernstein; Villa-Lobos, Bach and Wagner

Rondo Violoncello

Cello-Ensemble Peter Buck

Bachlanas Brasileiras N˚ 1

Composed By – Heitor Villa-Lobos

1 I. Introduction. Embolada 6:09

2 II. Prélude. Modinha 7:41

3 III. Fugue. Conversa 4:05

4 Tristan Et Isolde: Overture

Arranged By – Sebastian Erlewein

Composed By – Richard Wagner

West Side Story (Extraits)

Arranged By – Sebastian Erlewein

Composed By – Leonard Bernstein

5 I Feel Pretty 2:48

6 Maria 2:58

7 Somewhere 2:56

8 America 3:00

9 Bohemia Rag

Arranged By – Werner Thomas-Mifune

Composed By – Joseph F. Lamb

2:21

10 Hymnus

Composed By – Julius Klengel

11 L'Offrande Musicale: Ricercare à 6 Voix

Arranged By – Gustav Lenzewski

Composed By – Johann Sebastian Bach

12 Suite En Ré Majeur: Fugue. Sarabande. Adagio. Air. Sarabande. Allemande

Composed By – David Funck

10:27

Cello Ensemble Peter Buck

Cello – Chia-wen Huang, Christine Klein (2), Dorothea Borth, Elisabeth Sautner, Joachim Hess (2), Juliana Przybyl, Katrin Meingast, Kirill Kraftsov, Markus Trautschbein, Peter Buck (2), Sebastian Erlewein, Sören Beech, Ulrike Loesch, Zin-Young Yi*, Zoltan Paulich

-----------------------------------

15 cellos? And that's IT!?

That would sum up my initial reaction to this album when it was described to me. But in some moment of weakness, I bought it, and I'm honestly glad.

As strange as it sounds, this CD is REALLY good. The cellists are all at the top of their profession, which helps, I'm sure. And the arrangements complement not only the instrument, but the pieces as well. That's really the great tribute to this disc: it makes the cello sound like all you need for great music is a cello or two (or 15); and it makes the music, from West Side Story to Tristan und Isolde (both stories of doomed lovers, oddly enough) sound like it was intended to be played on nothing but cellos.

And on this disc, it's true.

Highlights:

"America" by Bernstein - superbly played! "Bohemian Rag" - light-hearted and fun. "Embolada" (1st of the Villa-Lobos) - lovely.

and the Wagner - in some ways, the most unlikely choice for this disc, it is as moving as the original and somehow more haunting (if that's possible).. absolutely gorgeous.

--- Highly recommended.

All thanks goes to Joaquin for this post!