COMPOSERS: Davydov,de Falla,Elgar,Faure,Liu,Piazzolla,Schubert,Schumann etc
LABELS: DG
ALBUM TITLE: Reverie
WORKS: Works by Davydov, de Falla, Elgar, Fauré, Liu, Piazzolla, Schubert, Schumann etc
PERFORMER: Jian Wang (cello), Göran Söllscher (guitar)
CATALOGUE NO: 477 6401
Setting up exactly the right atmosphere in a compilation disc of this nature requires musicians of exceptional technical skill, as well as a capacity to communicate an active enjoyment both of the music and the experience of playing together. These qualities are in abundance here, the chemistry between Wang and Söllscher producing performances that are extremely polished but spontaneous in this intimately recorded programme. Given the lack of original compositions for cello and guitar (surprising since the combination is so obviously attractive) Wang and Söllscher have to rely on very skilful transcriptions for their recital, pitching some well-worn favourites such as Fauré’s ‘Après un rêve’ and ‘Berceuse’, Elgar’s Salut d’amour and Schumann’s ‘Träumerei’ against more obviously idiomatic contributions from Piazzolla, Falla and Villa-Lobos. My only minor criticism of the programme as a whole is that there are relatively few extrovert pieces to provide a bit of relief from the overriding mood of calm contemplation.
Erik Levi
