Bloch, Bruch, Kotova - Works for Cello and Orchestra

BLOCH: Schelomo - Prayer, From Jewish Life, No. 1 

BRUCH: Kol Nidrei 

KOTOVA: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra - PREMIERE RECORDING 

Nina Kotova, cello

Constantine Orbelian, conductor

Philharmonia of Russia

Delos celebrates with Nina Kotova this exciting new partnership and the debut recording of Kotova's own cello concerto. Known as an extraordinary soloist, Nina Kotova brings her expressive playing to Bloch's Schelomo and Prayer, From Jewish Life, Bruch's Kol Nidrei and she infuses her own composition Concerto for Cello and Orchestra with the playful and the poignant spirit of Russian life. Inspired by the musical traditions of her homeland, Kotova's cello concerto embraces a range of moods and the profound expressiveness of the Russian tradition of her countrymen Mussorgsky, Shostakovich and Stravinsky. This debut work is Nina Kotova's personal story, reflecting upon her own Soviet girlhood and transporting the listener back to Tartar Russia. In tandem with the Bloch & Bruch works - which are also inspired by history and religious themes - this deeply personal and passionate release is bound to inspire the listener. Recorded at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, where Nina Kotova was taken to hear her first concert performance by her father (a celebrated bassist in his own right), this release also features the exceptional musicality of Maestro Constantine Orbelian and his Philharmonia of Russ

Nina Kotova has proven to be one of the great solo cellists of our time. This beautiful and sometimes haunting cd will touch you on many levels regardless of your level of music appreciation, education, and sophistication. I have had the honor of meeting Ms. Kotova personally and can only say that the her statuesque & sublime beauty perfectly reflects her enchanting skills as a musician and composer. I eagerly await the next chapter in this rising talent's career. It has been some time since this cd was released, so we are long overdue for more from Ms. Kotova. I must add that if you haven't had the opportunity to see her play live, then you are really missing out. No one classical musician alive projects such enchantment.

~5 stars~

This album is fantastic! Kotova performs this serious music (Bloch and Bruch) with such pathos, it moved me to tears. Her tone and technicality are untouchable.

And, Kotova's own Concerto is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world's cello repertoire -- as a cellist, I've always found that finding new and interesting cello music is difficult. Kotova's cello concerto is melodic and absolutely lovely. And there is no better way of hearing the way a work is to sound then by hearing it performed by it's own composer.

I highly recommend this album and feel that Kotova's career is one to keep an eye on!

This post is a generous gift from our friend Daffy!!