Britten: Complete Music for Cello Solo and Cello and Piano, Composer Benjamin Britten, Artist Alexander Ivashkin cello, Andrew Zolinsky piano, Format 2 CD, "Your music is truly among the most outstanding work of the twentieth century. And for me it is a source of great and strong impressions. Write as much as you can." (Shostakovich to Britten, 1963) This set represents the first-ever complete collection of Benjamin Britten's music for unaccompanied cello and cello with piano. Many of these works were composed for the legendary Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Britten and Rostropovich were close friends and regularly gave recitals together in both Britain and Russia. It is perhaps because of this connection with Rostropovich that Britten's cello works in particular demonstrate his enduring affinity with Russian culture, leading such a renowned composer as Shostakovich to repeatedly express his admiration for Britten's music. Britten's much-loved Suites for solo cello are an ideal vehicle for dramatic displays of virtuosity by the cellist - particularly in the First Suite - but also have beautifully expressive moments, such as the Second Suite's lyrical fourth movement. The Russian influence in the Suites is evident through Britten's use of Shostakovich's famous D-S-C-H monogram, and allusions - albeit enigmatic and subtle ones - to Russian folk melodies in the Third Suite. This collection also includes the C major Cello Sonata - which, like the Suites, takes much of it's inspiration from historical forms, the world premiere recording of the previously unpublished A major Sonata, a charming work that was written when the composer was just 13 years old and is influenced by Schubert, and the intriguing Tema 'Sacher', written just a few months before Britten's death to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Swiss conductor Paul Sacher and commissioned and premiered by Rostropovich. Alexander Ivashkin has been described as a "prodigious cellist" by Rostropovich himself, and praised by The Daily Telegraph for combining "breadth of knowledge with a driving energy". He is accompanied in Britten's Cello Sonatas by virtuoso pianist Andrew Zolinsky. World premiere recording of the A major Sonata uses a critical edition prepared by Ivashkin and Zolinsky following meticulous research and collaboration with the Britten-Pears Foundation. In the last month of the Centenary celebrations Brilliant Classics presents a tribute to Benjamin Britten, one of the leading 20th century British composers. Britten's friendship with the great Russian cellist Mstslav Rostropovich inspired him to write these masterpieces for the cello: the three suites for cello solo, a 20th century tribute to Bach's solo suites, and the sonata for cello and piano, a dark, dramatic work, brimming with passion and vitality.
1 Allegro Molto - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
2 Andante Ma Poco Presto - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
3 Presto - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
4 Dialogo. Allegro - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
5 Scherzo-Pizzicato: Allegretto - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
6 Elegia. Lento - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
7 Marcia. Energico - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
8 Moto Perpetuo. Presto - Alexander Ivashkin/Andrew Zolinsky
- Disc 2 -
1 Canto Primo. Sostenuto E Largamente
2 Fuga. Andante Moderato
3 Lamento. Lento Rubato
4 Canto Secondo. Sostenuto
5 Serenata. Allegretto Pizzicato
6 Marcia. Alla Marcia Moderato
7 Canto Terzo. Sostenuto
8 Bordone: Moderato Quasi Recitativo
9 Moto Perpetuo E Canto Quarto. Presto
10 Declamato. Largo
11 Fuga. Andante
12 Scherzo. Allegro Molto
13 Andante Lento
14 Ciaccona. Allegro
15 Introduzione. Lento
16 Marcia. Allegro
17 Canto: Con Moto
18 Barcarola. Lento
19 Dialogo. Allegretto
20 Fuga. Andante Espressivo
21 Recitativo. Fantastico
22 Moto Perpetuo. Presto
23 Passacaglia. Lento Solenne
24 Under the Little Apple Tree
25 Autumn
26 The Grey Eagle
27 Grant Repose
28 Tema 'Sacher'
Britten: Complete Music for Cello Solo and Cello and Piano, Composer Benjamin Britten, Artist Alexander Ivashkin cello, Andrew Zolinsky piano, Format 2 CD, "Your music is truly among the most outstanding work of the twentieth century. And for me it is a source of great and strong impressions. Write as much as you can." (Shostakovich to Britten, 1963) This set represents the first-ever complete collection of Benjamin Britten's music for unaccompanied cello and cello with piano. Many of these works were composed for the legendary Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Britten and Rostropovich were close friends and regularly gave recitals together in both Britain and Russia. It is perhaps because of this connection with Rostropovich that Britten's cello works in particular demonstrate his enduring affinity with Russian culture, leading such a renowned composer as Shostakovich to repeatedly express his admiration for Britten's music. Britten's much-loved Suites for solo cello are an ideal vehicle for dramatic displays of virtuosity by the cellist - particularly in the First Suite - but also have beautifully expressive moments, such as the Second Suite's lyrical fourth movement. The Russian influence in the Suites is evident through Britten's use of Shostakovich's famous D-S-C-H monogram, and allusions - albeit enigmatic and subtle ones - to Russian folk melodies in the Third Suite. This collection also includes the C major Cello Sonata - which, like the Suites, takes much of it's inspiration from historical forms, the world premiere recording of the previously unpublished A major Sonata, a charming work that was written when the composer was just 13 years old and is influenced by Schubert, and the intriguing Tema 'Sacher', written just a few months before Britten's death to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Swiss conductor Paul Sacher and commissioned and premiered by Rostropovich. Alexander Ivashkin has been described as a "prodigious cellist" by Rostropovich himself, and praised by The Daily Telegraph for combining "breadth of knowledge with a driving energy". He is accompanied in Britten's Cello Sonatas by virtuoso pianist Andrew Zolinsky. World premiere recording of the A major Sonata uses a critical edition prepared by Ivashkin and Zolinsky following meticulous research and collaboration with the Britten-Pears Foundation. In the last month of the Centenary celebrations Brilliant Classics presents a tribute to Benjamin Britten, one of the leading 20th century British composers. Britten's friendship with the great Russian cellist Mstslav Rostropovich inspired him to write these masterpieces for the cello: the three suites for cello solo, a 20th century tribute to Bach's solo suites, and the sonata for cello and piano, a dark, dramatic work, brimming with passion and vitality.